Get Money: Should kids get money to get an education?

Kids are not getting paid 'A Milli' like Weezy, but when it comes to passing standardized tests fourth graders are getting paid—ballin’!

Okay their not literally ballin’ like Jim Jones, but Roland Fryer, a Harvard economist, sure has big things poppin’ for these Brooklyn youngsters.

In this “get money” experiment done by Fryer, he is using money to reward students for testing well on a series of standardized tests. Students can earn up to $25 per test, and $250 for perfect scores on all 10 tests. This experiment is part of Fryers’ efforts to see how well inner-city kids can do if they’re fundamentally motivated.

Many critics disagree with Fryers pay-to-educate plan. They believe kids should want to be educated no matter what. But obviously those critics are not practicing what they preach because money is on the mind of all people—even these kids.

When these kids were asked how they felt about people hatin’ on their privately funded program, one kid said that “It’s not hurtin it [their education]. It’s helping.” Another kid stated that “teachers get money, now it’s time for kids to get money for studying hard.”

When minorities in America are testing lower than developing countries, Fryer couldn’t agree more with these kids because they deserve something better.

I agree with the program. I think this is the best innovative idea I’ve heard in a long time to close the education gap. In wealthy neighborhoods kids are often rewarded byt their parents with high priced luxury items like cars, so why can’t city kids be rewarded?

But that’s just my opinion. What do you think? Should kids be paid to get an education?

NAS at Jimmy Kimmel

This past week I was attended a NAS out-door mini concert for the Jimmy Kimmel show, right behind El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. To be honest I didn't really know who NAS was until one of my fellow reporters with Rock the Trail, DeNishia Yearby, wrote about him on her music blog. I was intrigued to find out who he was and so I decided to go to his concert and, to my surprise, he is now one of my favorite performers. His music is inspiring and true. It is honest and catchy.

As NAS was getting ready to perform, I asked Mark Labastida, a young NAS fan, the reasons behind his interest in NAS's music. He stated that, "the reason that I like his music is because he is true to himself, he speaks the truth, and he proves he is not a sell out. He tells his audience how things are and how we should not be fooled by the entertainment industry." Mark also added, "the best part about NAS is that he is not blinded by money and that is important for me that he is true to himself and most importantly to US. His messages through his music are what grabbed my attention since the beginning."

Fans were screaming and yelling for NAS to perform his hit song "Hero." As I listened to it for the first time I realized why all these youngsters were happy to be there and see him perform. It was because he was being true to each and every one of us.

"If politicians want to reach the youth for their VOTE," another NAS fan stated, "you must be true, ya' hear."

Hello World: I'll make the youth voice heard

I have been assigned my beats for July. Yay! My job is to blog and report on key issues that would capture your attention. This will hopefully spark an interest and motivate you all to do something about them. I will provide my sincerest perspective on issues that hit close to home. These issues will include the affordability of higher education, the hardships foster children encounter, and the view of the war from a young veteran’s perspective.

I plan to bring you all angles of every story-your view, my view, and anybody else's view.

Cost of Education:

We all know the cost of education is outrageous! Student loan debt has skyrocketed, our freedom of speech has been challenged, and copyright laws have gotten tougher.

Foster Care/K-12 Education:

Many issues come to mind when thinking about these two topics. There are success stories that must be covered. There are still more stories that have not been sufficiently covered and they must be examined, too. Barriers must be broken down between the "good" schools and the "bad" schools. "Good" and "bad" are everywhere and I want to go behind the scenes to expose both sides. Other topics will include current realities and obstacles, after-school programs, and youth-led events.

War:

War is one word that we will hear again and again until all troops come home, and until then I'll have the opportunity to interview proud veterans and the not so proud veterans. My goal is to bring unedited and uncensored footage of my one-on-one interviews with young war veterans.

You can also catch me covering youth groups in my community and the work they put into their organizations and their communities.

I am excited to cover beats on young Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Young Arabs- the cultures many people often neglect. I know they have a lot to say and what better place to have their voices heard than on the Rock the Trail blog. So be sure to check in weekly. You never know when and what they may say.

Lastly, I am excited to cover music and activism. Afterall, our world revolves around music. If you don't believe me simply try to go a month without listening to the radio in your car or at work. Music seems to be the driving force of getting us through the day. I am glad to bring stories to you from influential musical icons who have very influential messages regarding issues that matter the most to our generation. You will get exclusive interviews, Q&A's and videos from entertainers, Disc Jockeys, teachers, music lovers, record companies, and any other source you can think of.

In case you haven't figured it out by now, my ultimate goal is to make the enitre youth generation pay attention to me. Ultimately I want to have the most exposure I can get so that the answer to the question of “why should young people vote?” will be heard and spread worldwide.

Sometimes we don’t realize the extent to which politics affect our lives until we have reached a time in our professional career where things become forced upon us. But the truth of the matter is that we need to grasp and understand that there are issues that are affecting us now!

I am here to represent the voice for all youth and I will try my best to make sure the youth are heard. Young people have more to lose than many would think—like our future—and that is one sacrifice I will not make.

I encourage you to view the blog weekly for my different beats. Make Comments. Suggest topics. Whatever you do, be sure to stay engaged in what affects our generation- and that means everything!

From Beats To Beats

Raldon “Donny” Lumpkins,


This week I was assigned my beats, something I was apprehensive about at first because I, like lot of kids I know don’t like to do things I don’t want to do, you might call it a character flaw but I call it (ummmm) the selfish behavior of a normal 20 year old. (My bad, its all love. xoxo) But now that I know them (my beats) I must say I’m happy with what I got. The nice folks at Rock The Vote head quarters seem to know me better than I do. The beats they chose for me to cover reflect my style and interest about as much as a new pair of Nikes in a shoe store foot mirror. (Fresh!) These are beats my drum role please!

Young Black men and voting: • Family issues: Economic Issues and Youth organizations activities in my community.

You best believe I plan to stay on top of these story beats like the best rappers do drum beats, with different kinds of media seamlessly weaved together like snares and high hats on a track that you cant help but to be moved by, With powerful stories that find a place in your heart and stay there like the bass of an 808 drum machine. (Fingers humbly crossed)

One of the things that I'm most existed to cover is all of the issues young black men face. These issues could potentially include cash flow, family, relationships, friends or overall mental health. These issues have always been paramount in my heart and mind. I know that these things are not just young black issues but issues all young people deal with and I hope I can rep us (the youth) correctly. I plan to shine a new light on the struggles of being young and wrestles in America, a light that isn’t being wielded by a cable news camera man or a police officer, but a young black man that is trying to find answers for everyone else as much as he is for himself.