Re: Is gradefund legitimate?

[Kevin Shalla <kshalla () UIC EDU>]

While again not addressing the original request, I cannot resist
mentioning a book which argues that this is a bad idea:
Punished by Rewards http://www.alfiekohn.org/books/pbr.htm

At 09:10 AM 4/27/2009, Joel Rosenblatt wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I never heard of this company, but there are such funds in other places
>
> CPS unveils new financial incentive program
>
> New "Green for Grade$" program will allow more than 5,000 students
> to earn up to $4,000 each for achieving academic benchmarks.
>
> ...
>
> <http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/09_11_2008_PR1.aspx>
>
>
> Joel Rosenblatt
>
> Joel Rosenblatt, Manager Network & Computer Security
> Columbia Information Security Office (CISO)
> Columbia University, 612 W 115th Street, NY, NY 10025 / 212 854 3033
> http://www.columbia.edu/~joel
>
> --On Monday, April 27, 2009 8:51 AM -0500 "Wayne J. Hauber"
> <wjhauber () IASTATE EDU> wrote:
>
> > I received a question a few days ago about a scheme called
> > gradefund. You give gradefund money and they reward your student
> > monetarily when the student
> > achieves good grades.
> >
> > I am always leery of schemes like this. The notion that I should
> > give someone my money so they can meter it out is very suspicious to me.
> >
> > Has anyone heard of gradefund? Would you trust it with your money?
> >
> > A sample e-mail follows.
> >
> >
> > Wayne Hauber (515) 294-9890
> > GCWN GCFA
> > Information Technology Services
> > IT Security and Policies
> > 297 Durham Center, ISU, Ames, Iowa 50011
> > wjhauber () iastate edu
> >
> > --------------------(sample e-mail)------------------
> >   I am hoping you will sponsor me in my quest for extraordinary
> > achievement in my education. This journey is like that of a
> > marathoner motivated by sponsors
> > who pledge support: I am raising funds to help offset the enormous
> > cost of my education while ensuring that I only receive these funds
> > if I get to the finish
> > line by getting good grades. That is why I am writing you today,
> > and why I have signed up for an exciting program called The GradeFund.
> >  >
> >  > The GradeFund lets you pledge as little as $5 for any grade
> > levels you want to sponsor (A, A-, B+, etc.). You can pledge
> > whatever you think is appropriate
> > by following the link below. The funds are used to pay my tuition
> > directly or sent to me if you prefer.
> >  >
> >
> >  > Sponsorship link: http://www.gradefund.com/pages/home
> >  >
> >  > The Grade Fund only releases funds after successful academic
> > achievement. It is easy to enroll. If you don't have an account
> > the GradeFund will ask you to
> > create one. This should only take 30 seconds and you can use this
> > account with other students, too. If you have any questions please email me
> > (ccanders () butler edu) or the GradeFund (support () gradefund com).
> >  >
> >  > I hope you will sponsor me and motivate me to extraordinary
> > achievement with my education. My education will alter my entire
> > life. High achievement more
> > so.
> >  >
> >  > Thank you in advance. I look forward to updating you on my
> > educational accomplishments. I will enjoy your being part of my
> > educational journey.
> >  >
> >
> >  > Sincerely,
> >
> >  >
> >  > FYI: The GradeFund also lets you set up your own educational
> > causes for as little as $1 per grade to support areas of study at
> > schools that are important
> > to you.
> >  >
> >
> >  > Sponsorship link: http://www.gradefund.com/pages/home
>
>
>
> Joel Rosenblatt, Manager Network & Computer Security
> Columbia Information Security Office (CISO)
> Columbia University, 612 W 115th Street, NY, NY 10025 / 212 854 3033
> http://www.columbia.edu/~joel