(a) As used in this section, “education pays reward” means a reward of cash or other thing of value given to either an individual student or the student's custodial parent or guardian, or both, in recognition of academic achievement.
(b) Each LEA is encouraged to develop an education pays pilot program for at-risk students to encourage student academic achievement through the award of education pays rewards.
(c) An education pays pilot program may be funded through private donations. Any LEA for which a private foundation or other organization expresses willingness to fund an education pays pilot program shall work with such organization in developing an education pays pilot program in order to encourage at-risk students to achieve greater academic success through participation in the program.
(d) [Deleted by 2018 amendment.]