14 Schools Named to D.C. Program to Motivate Students With Cash

It is the latest in what has become a hefty portfolio of pilot programs and proposals launched under Rhee, garnering her national attention as a key figure in the school reform movement. She is pressing the teachers union to adopt a potentially groundbreaking salary plan that would pay many teachers more than $100,000 a year in salary and bonuses if student achievement is elevated.

"My general gut reaction is that they're throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks," said Mary Melchior, a parent and activist at Langdon Elementary who opposes cash awards. "I want my kids to see reading and learning as something they want to do their entire life, not just something they're getting money for doing."

Trevon Dorsey, 12, who began seventh grade this week at Garnet-Patterson-Shaw, was enthusiastic. "I think it's a good way to motivate kids to do good work. . . . I think it's a good idea for the public schools."

Fryer said he will have no hesitation about scrapping Capital Gains if the program does not show results.

"If it's clearly not working, we'll get rid of it," he said. "I'm not building an organization. I'm trying to infuse innovation into reform-minded school districts."

Staff writer Michael Birnbaum contributed to this report.