Several of my daughter's elementary school teachers have had a Friday market at which the students can exchange their rewards for good behavior and good grades for candy and trinkets.
Is this reward system good or bad for the kids? If it helps create better behavior in the classroom, that's good, isn't it?
If, as a result of this reward system, the scores on the statewide tests are improved, the reward system is good for the careers of the principal and the teachers, the reputation of the school system, and the real estate values in the neighborhood, isn't it?
Well, is the reward system good for the individual kids?
This fascinating article and the internal links by Alfie Kohn looks at the dangers of too much praise.
