Cash for learning?

I recently read an article on ednews.org that talked about a new program where schools are actually paying students to attend tutoring sessions. The school picked 20 students for the test program and of those 20, 16 agreed to participate and only 9 stayed all year. The program pays students based on attendance and academic performance. One of the students from the program stated that he learned a lot and actually enjoyed the program. The student also stated that he spent the money he earned from the program on clothes and a game boy. The article made it sound as though the program was a success and they would be trying the program again next year. 

I personally think the idea of paying students to learn is a bad idea. The test run of this program cost $18,600 and only 9 students participated! Schools have enough trouble trying to find enough money without paying every student to learn! What about the students that enjoy learning just for the sake of learning! I feel like they will lose their natural drive to learn if they know that could be getting paid! Or will we just have to start paying them for making good grades? I do, however, think giving students an incentive to learn is a good idea... just not a monetary incentive.  

For more information please see: http://ednews.org/articles/tutoring-incentive-program-seems-to-pay-off-for-students-.html