The District has selected fourteen middle schools to test out a new incentive plan for students. The pilot program, a partnership between DC's school system and Harvard University, is meant to motivate students...with cash.

Jessica Forres reports...

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Linda Clarke-Spate teaches at Francis Junior High School. She is disappointed that Ward 2, where her school is located, and Ward 3 are not included in the pilot program.

A STUDENT CAME TO MY ROOM TO ASK ME A QUESTION ABOUT THE PROGRAM SO I WAS INTRIGUED THAT SHE WAS SO INTERESTED I SAID I BETTER CALL DOWNTOWNTO SEE IF THEY'LL MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE A PART. UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY THE PAPER INDICATES THAT THERE WAS A SELECTIONWHICH DOES NOT INCLUDES FRANCIS STEVENS. HOWEVER I HOPE THAT THEY DO EXPAND IT.

Beginning this October, nearly 3,000 middle schoolers will be able to earn a maximum of a hundred dollars every two weeks for good grades and good behavior.

Larell Ayer, a parent, isn't convinced. He talks about his daughter who attends a middle school in Prince George's County as he stands in front of Garnet-Patterson-Shaw…one of the fourteen schools.

SHE DOESN'T DO GOOD FOR MONEY. SHE DOES GOOD BECAUSE IT'S IN HER TO DOGOOD. AND THAT'S WHERE THE REWARD IS. THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION, ARE YOUDOING GOOD BECAUSE YOU'RE RECEIVING AND ONE DAY WHEN YOU'RE NOTRECEIVING FOR THE GOOD ARE YOU STILL GOING TO DO GOOD.

The District has set aside 2.7 million dollars for the program.