Charter school: Enroll here, get a free Nintendo DSi

[Starry Messenger]

(Heads up, if you hit the link, there's a video of the story that plays automatically. Irritating.)

http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/277603/8/Charter-school-Enroll-here-get-a-free-Nintendo-DSi

The Manatee School of Arts & Sciences is offering a free Nintendo DSi to families who sign their children up this week. The deadline coincides with when the state will start surveying schools, deciding funding based on how many students are enrolled. Each additional full-time student earns a school about $6,300, enough to buy about 42 Nintendo DSis.

<snip>

Is it a fair way to attract students, or a gimmick? It depends on who you ask.

Manatee County School Board member Julie Aranibar told 10 News off-camera that her biggest concern is that incentives like this could attract families to schools for the wrong reasons.

During the 2011-2012 school year, Manatee School of Arts & Sciences earned a "C" grade from the state based on test scores. The prior school year, the school was given a "D."

[madaboutharry]

1. And give them a toy to get addicted to so they won't do their homework.

Sounds like the school should get an F for epic fail.

[Waltons_Mtn]

2. The happy meal approach!

[exboyfil]

3. Public schools in some areas

have also done this (maybe not Nintendos but I remember bikes).

I think the whole approach is disgusting myself.

[LWolf]

4. My state has

a new (last January) "open enrollment" law. In response, our district encouraged schools to "market" themselves to make sure enrollment didn't drop; we paid (not much...a few hundred dollars) someone to make a video promoting our school. Other districts are also finding ways to get into the marketing game.

Even non-charter schools are now supposed to "compete" for students.

I don't see this as a healthy development, to say the least.

[HiPointDem]

5. charter schools have been doing stuff like this in nyc too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. All the charters here do this.

Some pay both the new kid and whoever referred him. Anywhere from $200 to $500. And Nintendos, gift cards, lots of other bling.