In an effort to reduce instructional costs, public schools around the country have offered scholarships to seniors that finish their curriculum and graduate early.  This initiative has greatly motivated students to excel in their coursework, alleviating “senioritis” and enticing parents to engage in their children’s education.

Although these initiatives have rolled out in several states so far, opponents question the allocation of public school funds toward individual scholarships.  Others question the preparedness and unintended consequences of those that graduate and move on to college prematurely. 

As an alternative, those in opposition have proposed incentivized funding for districts with underrepresented graduation rates and post-high school education plans.

For participating districts, however, annual per-pupil expenditures far exceed scholarship amounts, gaining momentum with legislators, educators, parents and students alike. 

The remaining challenge includes identifying students that are in fact prepared to graduate early and move on to college, while remembering the program is certainly not for everyone.