I once ran an economic experiment with 12th graders, only I mixed actual dollars with free points towards actual grades. I don’t recall the mechanism, but the result was spectacular: the kids who needed the points the most were most concerned about the money, while the kids with higher grades traded money for points they didn’t need.
I’m sure economists have a term for it, but I just sat back in wonder at the human condition.
Back in High School the science teacher on the final had a poorly worded question. Everyone argued with him. He finally relented.
“Okay - you are right, that was a poor question. I can see how you answered it correctly. But - I’m not changing your grades. If anything, you’ve learned that life isn’t fair. If so, that is the most you will have learned from this class.” (And 42 years later, it is!)
I’m pretty sure that was the entire point of the question. Something that I didn’t learn until 11th grade.
With my kids, they learned that VERY young.