Maybe this is far too naive, but wouldn't a smart but unmotivated kid respond to the same incentives as anyone else? Namely, can we figure out how to reward kid

Maybe this is far too naive, but wouldn't a smart but unmotivated kid respond to the same incentives as anyone else? Namely, can we figure out how to reward kids and their families monetarily for staying in school and excelling? The promise of some scholarship years down the line might not do it. Obviously this is tricky business for a host of reasons, but if we expect education to be a worthwhile investment, there's got to be some way to 'borrow' against those expected future gains.