Pinellas County 9th Graders Earn $169K Through Readability Program Despite State Reading Scores at 25-Year Low
In ceremonies across Pinellas County, 169 ninth-grade students from five Pinellas County schools are being rewarded with $169,000 this year for improving their grades, literacy levels and overall GPA through the 13th Annual Paid for Grades program, a performance-based literacy initiative created and funded by Clearwater fintech company Chargebacks911.
Freshmen students from Boca Ciega, Hollins, Lakewood, East Lake and Seminole High Schools who successfully completed the 2026 Paid for Grades program earned $500 for themselves, $400 for their designated mentor, and $100 for their school.
Founded by Chargebacks911 CEO Monica Eaton, Paid for Grades incentivizes student achievement through a unique but simple formula: improve your GPA and readability levels, maintain strong attendance and good behavior, and get rewarded for the effort.
To date, Paid for Grades has helped more than 800 students and donated nearly $2 million to Pinellas County students, mentors and schools.
“Word is Getting Around” About Paid for Grades’ Impact
“Each year I’m amazed by not only the resiliency and perseverance that these ninth graders show, but how they carry themselves once the program is over,” said Eaton. “Word is getting around of Paid for Grades’ impact, and we’re fortunate enough to have the program spread to two more schools—East Lake and Seminole High Schools—in the last two years. We hear the feedback from these schools and know students need these incentives and motivations now more than ever.”
According to the most recent National Center for Education Statistics’ National Assessment of Educational Progress biannual report, referred to as “the nation’s report card,” Florida’s eighth-grade reading scores fell drastically in 2024, ranking below the national average for the first time since 2015 and placing behind 27 other states. The report also shows reading scores for eighth graders dropped to their lowest level since 1998.
“Scores for our lowest-performing students are at historic lows,” said Matthew Soldner, the acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. “These results should galvanize all of us to take concerted and focused action to accelerate student learning.”
As Florida faces its lowest reading and math scores in 25 years, teachers and parents say programs like Paid for Grades have become more critical than ever.
Paid for Grades Program Continues to Grow
“Last year was our first year doing the program with 44 kids,” said Robin Brady, AP Language and Composition teacher and Paid for Grades Lead Mentor at East Lake High School. “52 percent of them got out of reading because they got a three or higher on their progress monitoring test. So we’re starting to see some data that when they start off in this program, it gets them off on the right path.”
“Programs like Paid for Grades are so important for students because at any age, it’s really hard to see a bigger goal,” said Kayla Carpenter, a teacher and Paid for Grade mentor at Seminole High School. “Programs like this are a reminder that you can work hard, get it done and see something in return for it.”
With schools receiving $100 for each student who completes Paid for Grades, many have been able to purchase tech, learning tools or electronics without impacting their budget.
“I was able to buy Kindle Fires and Beats earbuds for my students this year with money that came from Paid for Grades,” said Melissa Calle, a reading teacher and Paid for Grades Lead Mentor at Hollins High School. “Paid for Grades is important for ninth-grade students because it’s letting them know that this needs to be done, it’s something you should be doing anyway, but you’re going to be rewarded for it.”
According to parents, Paid for Grades has given their children the skills, support system and motivation to take accountability and improve their academic standing.
Susanne Harris, whose son completed Paid for Grades at Hollins High School this year, said “Whatever it is that’s going on with this program, it has definitely helped him in regards to reading, understanding and being able to get through it without feeling the struggle. [Paid for Grades] is that incentive to let them know that there are organizations out there that are there for the children to help them and guide them.”
“My message for any [school] who wants to be a part of Paid for Grades is to go for it,” said Calle.
Expanding to New Schools
Teachers and administrators interested in bringing the Paid for Grades program to their schools can visit the How It Works page on the Paid for Grades website.
With the program gaining in popularity and spreading to more schools, Paid for Grades is seeking corporate partners to help meet demand and accommodate more students.
“The goal is to bring Paid for Grades to any school in Tampa Bay that wants it for their students,” expressed Eaton. “To do that, we need like-minded organizations who believe in the Paid for Grades’ mission to join us, whether that be sharing their time, talent or treasure. With the momentum that we’re seeing and the enthusiasm behind Paid for Grades, we know that we can grow this from being a critical program in Pinellas County to being a critical program throughout Tampa Bay.”
Businesses and community partners interested in supporting the program are encouraged to visit Paid for Grades’ Get Involved page.