BALTIMORE -- Students in Baltimore's high schools will get a cash incentive to boost their scores on the state graduation exams.

The school system plans to spend nearly $1 million on the incentives.

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Students who have failed at least one exam under Maryland's High School Assessments will earn $25 for improving test performance by 5 percent. If they improve an additional 15 percent, they will get an additional $35. Another 20 percent improvement will earn an additional $50.

State school Superintendent Nancy Grasmick has approved the plan, with the provision that the school system closely track student results.

City schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso said he supports the idea, but not many others are with him in that notion. Alonso said it will work for students who have failed the test at least once.

"To me, it's just common sense. I know there is a perspective that passing the test is their job anyway, but guess what? It hasn't worked," he said.

But Mayor Sheila Dixon said she is not happy, saying pay-to-pass is news to her.

"We are just sending mixed messages. It's like giving a child an allowance but they don't do anything. That's unheard of. I don't give allowances, but you still have responsibilities to do. I really have some mixed feelings on this," she said.

The Baltimore city teachers union and a student member of the school board both said they have concerns about the idea.

"What about our children who have passed this test on their own, who come to school every day? Those are the ones I think we ought to be rewarding financially," said teachers union President Marietta English.

The incentives are only part of a broader $6 million plan to boost student performance on the tests.

The plan includes the hiring of private companies for tutoring, after-school and Saturday classes, test preparation materials and teacher training. It will begin next month.