A program of paying students as an incentive for doing well is creating believers in the nation's capital.

KEY Academy is a public charter school serving low-income, minority students in Washington, and it's rewarding achievers with play money that they can use at the school store to buy real things.

Students receive the money for behaving well, doing their homework and making better grades.

With pressure to boost student achievement, there's a growing list of schools that are offering motivational incentives ranging from cash to field trips. Supporters say it builds pride and eventually develops good study habits.

KEY Academy is one of the top-performing schools in Washington, in terms of test scores.