At the Community School for Social Justice, we motivate students to achieve success through an innovative reward system: CSSJ Bucks, toy coins awarded to those who demonstrate responsibility. This initiative has transformed academic performance and punctuality, proving that positive reinforcement fosters excellence. Speaking with the school store directors, I asked how they came up with the idea of using toy bills to buy things and what they wanted to achieve with this. Speaking with Brayan, he told me that this is the second year with the CSSJ Bucks project. They came up with it because they wanted students to be better, more punctual, and complete work on time. He also told me that since CSSJ Bucks were introduced, attendance and grades for many students have significantly increased. There have also been over 1,000 CSSJ Bucks transactions in the store, from many students who have improved in their classes.
Students earn CSSJ Bucks by arriving early (before 8:15 a.m.) and helping teachers with specific assignments. They also earn CSSJ Bucks by participating in community service activities, such as at a school event. Many students participate just to earn CSSJ Bucks. As their collection grows, they gain access to exclusive benefits, such as a special lunch menu and the chance to win grand prizes at the end of the year.
The reward system has generated notable improvements among less diligent students, who have improved their grades and punctuality to earn these coveted dollars. This has fostered a culture of perseverance and responsibility.
Grand prizes include highly coveted premium items, such as AirPods Pro 2, gaming keyboards, mice, baseball backpacks, and video game controllers. More than just an incentive, CSSJ Bucks encourages financial decision-making: students must choose whether to spend their earnings on small rewards or save them for larger prizes, thus reinforcing the values of patience and perseverance, also known as delayed gratification.
Through CSSJ Bucks, students learn that hard work, discipline, and perseverance yield tangible rewards. Many have become more committed to their studies and punctuality, discovering that personal effort leads to lasting success.
