ATLANTA - Fulton County school officials will pay students to study after school in a new program designed to improve their classroom performance.<br />
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The program called ``Learn Earn'' is being offered to 40 students from Creekside High and Bear Creek Middle schools in Fairburn. Students will receive $8 an hour to study after school.<br />
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The privately funded program also will offer cash bonuses to students who improve their in-school performance.<br />
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School officials say the goal is to determine whether paying students to study will improve their performance.<br />
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The 15-week trial program will be conducted with students in the eighth and 11th grades. Students were selected by school staff, based on attendance, grades, test scores and free or reduced-lunch status.<br />
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A community kickoff ceremony is planned for 3 p.m. Thursday in the media center at Creekside High School.