‘Make the Grades, Make the CUT’, a Music Incentive Program that Motivates At-Risk Youth to Excel
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High school students who underperform or drop out do so because they lose interest and motivation. Schools are not adapting technology into music and arts programs or eliminating these programs due to lack of funding. Our nations education system will continue to plummet as we our youth’s interest.
The CUT is an independently funded music and media incentive based afterschool program that motivates students to improve in school. A student’s quarterly GPA and behavior improvement will earn him access to pop music lessons, audio recording, and music and media production classes. Students are motivated to try harder in school to earn access to music lessons and music technology classes. An increase in effort leads to an increase in grades, which leads to higher education attainment. Access to higher education closes the achievement gap.
The Premack’s principle states that more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors. Premack’s Principle suggests that students will be more motivated to perform a particular activity if they know that they will be able to partake of a more desirable activity as a consequence. For example, every parent has said, ‘If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.’
We conducted a pilot program at a continuation high school in Anaheim. Three students were selected. All three struggled academically but are passionate about music. After two months their average GPA improvement was 54% and average attendances improved by 50%. Cynthia said, ‘The CUT helped me prove to myself and family that I can do it all; get good grades and improve my singing/song writing skills.’ Now, we are currently working with four foster kids from CASA and the Orange County Courts. Within two months one student has already gone from D’s and F’s to A’s and one B. Hunter said, ‘The CUT is motivating me to get the best grades I have ever gotten in my life.’ The CUT’s Premack principle simply states, ‘Make the grades, make the CUT.’
More About This Charity
Region
West
Category
Educational Advancement
Name
The CUT Studios Foundation
Mission
To provide less advantaged youth with an educational outlet that inspires and rewards creative expression through an interactive curriculum designed to develop artistic abilities, build future leaders, and strengthen the community. Our academic incentive program motivates students by rewarding successful academic achievement, leadership and outstanding behavior.
Impact
- This Achievement raised $50,000
- This charity raised $7,000 in the past year
- This Achievement helped 6 people
- This charity helped 20 people in the past year
- Helped 6 foster children improve in school by an average GPA improvement of 50%
Works In
United States
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