Money certainly makes the world go round. It buys us food, so we don't go hungry; clothes so we don't go cold; shelter to keep us off the streets, and generally safe from storms; and apparently, according to the city of Baltimore, money will raise our children's grades too. What can't money do? Well, for one, it certainly can't guarantee a bright and promising future for youth today by being an incentive for making better grades.

Awarding students for doing well in school is not a new concept; parents do it, the government does it, and even schools do it. Unfortunately, Baltimore city school officials fail to realize that ample award opportunities are available to students every year, even without their pay-to-pass plan. Mostly these come in the form of scholarships and grants: schooling funded either by the government or private organizations for students who have excelled brilliantly through their educational career. Sometimes, even, these scholarships are given for the most trivial reasons. Thus, the city of Baltimore should consider highlighting these opportunities instead of using bribery to get students to aim higher in their studies. Thinking that a check for a mere $110 will make a life-altering difference for a struggling student, as U.S. representative Elijah Cummings believes, is hopeful, but ultimately naive. A fully paid tuition to a university will do more good for a student than cold, hard cash in their hands that could easily end up towards unnecessary spendings. There are far more numerous and beneficial opportunities for students to earn cash for their good grades, they just simply fail to recognize them. Often times, however, we, ourselves, fail to as well, only considering a physical check payment for hard work.

A bright and promising future should always take precedence over any presently attainable sum of money, but nowadays, it seems that having something now is ideal to having something better later. Youth today have tendencies to chase after what they value most in life; often times, unfortunately, these take the form of cell phones, designer clothes and shoes, and the latest electronic gadgets. Consequently, these present desires for materialistic products cripple their motivation for learning. With the pay-to-pass plan, instead of wanting to learn for the well-being of their future, students will find themselves carelessly digesting otherwise important information to simply earn a quick buck: a quick buck that is not always a guaranteed deal in the real world. Instead, students should be motivated to want to learn to better their chances at a successful future, and to, also, better their chances at being eligible for scholarships and grants.

Nevertheless, hard work should always have its benefits, and this plan certainly makes use of this idea. Students who work their way up the ladder of success, should, without a doubt, be rewarded for their hard work and perseverance. However, it is unfair to the individuals who typically do well regardless. Instead the money initially set aside to pay students with improved test grades can be used to hire more effective staff members, ones that can motivate students to better themselves academically. Thus, removing any need for pay-to-pass plan proposals that ultimately hinder students. Furthermore, the money can also be put towards improving school campuses. A friendlier and safer environment can motivate healthier studying habits. Teachers, guidance counselors, and other members of the school staff should further promote opportunities for scholarships, and encourage students to aim for them. In the end it is simply the lack of sensible consideration that ended in this folly. Maybe Baltimore should be paid to think a little more carefully the next time they have such a bright idea.