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Baltimore Students May Get Shoes For Good Grades

LANSDOWNE, Md. (WJZ) ― Last week, Baltimore City schools promised students cash rewards for higher exam scores.  City school leaders hope the dollars will motivate students.

As Gigi Barnett explains, some Baltimore County schools also have an incentive for better grades--one that students can wear.

Parents have done it for years--bargained with students in a simple trade-off to motivate them in class.  It sounds like this:

"Give me your report card.  If every grade on here is higher than a "B", then you can get them.  A "B "or above," said Lansdowne High student Shawneece Littles.

Now Baltimore County and City schools have a new carrot to dangle.  This time, they're tennis shoes.

"We have rewards at work if we do a job.  That's what real life is all about," said Doug Crusse.

It's called Shoes for Grades and any student who boosts their grade by one letter will get a brand new pair of New Balance sneakers.

Crusse works at Holabird Sports, which is donating the free footwear.

"I remember if I dropped out of high school, I could go work down at the Point and make a good living and raise a family and take vacations, but those 30,000 jobs aren't here anymore," Crusse said.

But will the carrot work?  Students at Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County are split on it.

"Some kids need the extra incentive to be able to do better," said James Johnson.

"I don't think it's shoes or money.  I think it basically comes away with the parents pushing you and striving you to do it," said Rashad Williams.

"All students will receive a pair of shoes whether they maintain their grades or improve them, so for instance, those who go from an "E" to a "D," they get a pair of shoes and students who maintain their As, they get shoes, too," Crusse said.  "We want to teach the kids when you go out into the real world, if you work hard, you're going to be rewarded."

But the right motivation and reward depends on the student.  Shoes for one student is an "A" for another.

"Different students have different challenges in their life, different things to overcome and what it takes to motivate and help them see further down the road...it varies," said Lansdowne High principal Lynda Whitlock.

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