When a kid focuses on good grades to attain some immediate reward, they have NO incentive to actually learn anything. They want to pass, to get points, to make the grade, for relatively short-term gratification. Incentivising learning in grade school or college to pay out for good grades would not help kids actually do better. It would only cause kids to scramble quickly to get the reward and do whatever it takes.
Can you point me to any references that back this up? I am interested in reading more about this.
I can not. This is my own casual study observed with the rest of my colleagues, of other colleagues' performance in class. Basically, we've just watched people and asked why they do what they do, and then see if they actually know what they're doing after the classes are done. No papers, no documents; we just do it to prove we are right about how the school system is flawed in many respects. I can share what I know if you have more specific questions, but I'm an engineer, not a social psychologist. I don't even write papers...
^This isn't the straight answer you we're looking for, i must say the bitcointalk forum is the worst place in the world where you would look for support or opinions on your projects, it happened to me too.
Put it in practice and see what you get, i did get your point and you're right, kinds tend to respond really well when they receive something in return, it is our human nature after all. They would love those classes and kick between each other to attend first. You could raise the "bar" whenever you want so they have to spend more time and effort to memorize or give out creative answers if they want to get the prizes too. I see it has allot of potential.