Paying Students to Attend School?

I heard something on the news last night about paying students to attend school.  I'll admit I didn't listen to the complete news story even though I heard them say "it works," because the whole thing sounded completely ridiculous.  If they meant something else by what they said, then they should have said it another way, because even making a statement that we should pay kids to attend school is ridiculous.  Oh, I'm sure paying kids to attend school would work in that attendance would increase, at least at first.  But what happens when the "new" wears off and kids start holding out for more money.  Then, if they're not paid more money, using this type of logic, they could decide not to go at all.  It seems pretty simple to me.  Children must attend school, and if they don't, their parents or legal guardians go to jail and the children still have to attend school.  Parents, get involved in your chidlren's lives and make them go to school.  They shouldn't have a choice.