I was just reading an article about a pilot program in Austin, TX where students are paid to study.  In the program, students get paid $6 per hour to spend time with Austin Community College tutors.  I would be interested to see how the program does long-term.  “Bribing” students to study more is definitely one approach tutors can use to help them get motivated to work harder in school.

You can use money, candy, or promise a trip to get ice cream after a certain goal is met.  I remember being in middle school trying to learn my multiplication tables with little success until my parents promised to pay me per table that I learned (I think about a $1 each).  Whatever it was, I made sure I learned all of them and in a hurry!