What is Earning by Learning?
The Earning by Learning program is designed to use cash incentives to stimulate children to read. Participants are paid for each book they complete and show mastery of the text while enrolled in the program.

How does the Earning by Learning program work?
EBL utilizes computerized mastery software from Accelerated Reader and Scholastic's Reading Counts to monitor each student's success. Each software program offers an array of tests on fascinating fiction and nonfiction titles for first grade through middle school. Students read books at their own pace and test for reading comprehension. Cash incentives are awarded based on the number of book tests passed within each EBL session.

Who is eligible for the program?
EBL targets children in elementary school. The grade levels of participants vary.

What are the goals of Earning by Learning of Dallas?
The program offers the following benefits:

Expanded Enthusiasm and Better Reading Practices
EBL motivates children to increase their reading habits. The program encourages children to explore contemporary favorites, classics, short stories, biographies and other reading materials. EBL students demonstrate better classroom performance, greater self-awareness and enhanced life choices.

Personal Development
For many children, the discovery of reading as an aesthetic experience is an incredible literacy benchmark. From the youngest reader's discovery that the words he or she reads can flow into meaningful sentences and ideas, to the emergent reader who demonstrates the power of knowledge through real-life applications, the personal development of young readers is transformed and marked by feelings of confidence, awareness and growth.

EBL gives children an opportunity to become lifelong readers. It promotes independent reading practice, self-esteem and personal financial gain.

Parental and Sibling Involvement
EBL children are encouraged to take their books home and read as a family.

Dollars and Sense
In addition to the primary aim of the program, participants also learn the value of money and how to manage their earnings. Children are encouraged to save their earnings, whether for college or a more immediate need. Local banks have gotten involved to help EBL students set up a savings account and to begin to learn the importance of managing their money responsibly.

The Gift that Keeps Giving
After completing the program, teachers and principals report that most students continue to read, and that EBL children are beginning to develop skills that will last a lifetime.