It is 7 a.m., 49° and headed toward the mid-60s. There is a 10 percent chance of rain.
It was a violent weekend in the Mission, with three shootings. No one died, but the violence has left residents on edge.
School officials told the SF Examiner that incentives, such as treats or a promise by their principal, could help boost students’ test scores this spring.
At Mission High School, Principal Eric Guthertz lets students vote on a reward they will earn if scores rise.
Two years ago, they decided Guthertz should get a tattoo of the school’s mascot, which he sports today on his left arm. Last year, chefs from top-rated local restaurants cooked a gourmet meal for all 900 students. After scores went up last summer, students earned a dance cruise, to be held this spring — although according to the terms of the deal, if Guthertz cannot secure a boat, he will have to eat 25 live worms.
“We’ve had a 97-point gain in three years,” Guthertz said. “I’m not saying the incentives are responsible for that, but they help, and they’re fun.”
Read what else school officials are doing to boost test scores at Mission Schools.
Hopefully the weather forecast is wrong again and it doesn’t rain today.
