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»	Keyboarding: Some Assembly RequiredRob Reilly
	Articles
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»	When Is Student Failure The Teacher’s Fault
»	Frogs Predict Massive Chinese Quake of 2008
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»	"Boys Read" Effort Aims to Turn Boys Into Readers
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»	Today Is... Daily Commemoration for July 2008
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»	Using Test "Cheat Sheets" To Enhance Student Learning
»	"Those Who Can, Do; Those Who Can't, Teach"
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Post: When Is Student Failure The Teacher's Fault?

Posted by sheila schlesinger on 8/03/08

Bill Page has made some excellent points in his article. A
teacher must present the material in ways that his/her
students can learn it.
However, Mr. Page says " Once they show up, they have done
their job". I disagree with that comment. True, a student
may not choose his/her teacher. However that student has a
responsibility to do more than just show up. Learning is
not a passive experience. Additionally parents must be
part of the process. A student is not an empty vessel that
a teacher pours in knowledge.
Using a medical model: if a doctor suggests a course of
treatment to a patient and the patient fails to comply, is
the doctor truly at fault? While one may argue that the
doctor may not have explained the course of treatment
adequately the patient still has a responsibility to make
sure he/she understands what the doctor is saying and
clarify the instructions. Addtionally, some
illnesses/diseases are beyond the scope of current medical
knowledge and despite the best efforts of the doctor and
the patient, the patient may expire.

It is absolutely true that people respond better to
encouragement. However, many students come to school with
issues and concerns that are beyond the scope of current
teaching practices and interfer with the student's ability
to learn the material presented.

Mr. Page also did not mention that often school districts
put their efforts into remediation rather than in
additional instruction in the early grades. Much like in
medicine in the United States, insurance companies will not
pay for prevention but will pay only for treatment.

We need to start at the beginning and engage teachers,
parents, and students as partners in the education
process. Each one must do his/her share in learning.
Reflection by all three parts of the triangle is essential
for students to become life long learners.

RESPOND TO THIS POST ADD A NEW COMMENT RETURN TO ARTICLE

Posts on this thread, including this one


• When Is Student Failure The Teacher's Fault?, 7/02/08, by wig.
• Re: When Is Student Failure The Teacher's Fault?, 7/03/08, by jane.eyre.
• When Is Student Failure The Teacher's Fault?, 8/03/08, by sheila schlesinger.
• My guidance for the benefit of new users, 9/21/09, by Ambuppy.