I set the classroom economy up with a few major guidelines for the students with the hopes that they take ownership of the activity and move it into a direction they are desiring.  Eventually, we will hit the academic benchmarks we are hoping for (as it relates to financial literacy and poverty).

One of the major revelations from our activity this year has been the amount of student initiative throughout this process.  I have had 7 different students ask for a raise thus far (unprompted of course).  Of those 7, 4 of them emailed me one time per day, every day, until I gave a firm answer.  I have had 5 different students bring to me ideas of a new job they would like (they told me the job, why it was important, how they could balance it, and what the pay should be).  I even had one student set a scheduled meeting to discuss how their job is unfulfilling and they wanted to do more!

What I am saying is, be proud of your child because your child is taking the initiative to become their own best advocate.  They are working to make sure their needs are taken care of and their situation improved.  Keep encouraging them to speak up and out about things that they care about.