Question

Some learners think that it is only their teachers who are responsible for their success at school. Here are two comments from young people about this idea:

It's not fair to blame teachers if I'm lazy.
I think that teachers are the only people who can make me do well.
Write an article for your school magazine, giving your views on this topic.
A. Agree with the idea that teachers are solely responsible.
B. Disagree with the idea that teachers are responsible at all.
C. Discuss the shared responsibility between teachers and students.
D. Write about your favorite school subject.

Answer 1

Academic success is a shared responsibility between teachers and students, requiring class attendance, ability, and work ethic, not merely resources or collective grading models. Proposals to improve education involve altering incentives, but teacher effectiveness and students' own responsibility are also critical to educational outcomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept that teachers are solely responsible for a student's success or failure in school overlooks the multifaceted nature of education. Factors such as class attendance, inherent ability, and work ethic are pivotal to an individual's academic performance. Conversely, a lack of success can be attributed to the absence of these elements. This system of grading and evaluation is competitive, akin to the principles of capitalism.

Considering alternatives, some have suggested a shift, such as a collectivist grading model, proclaiming 'we're all in this together'. If a teacher were to implement such a model, assigning a universal 'C' grade based on the class's average performance, this would undermine individual effort and potentially lower motivation for high-achievers.

Over the years, increased educational spending has not necessarily corresponded with improved test scores, indicating that resources alone are not the answer. Proposals have been made to change the incentives within education, such as testing students regularly, rewarding successful teachers or schools, allowing for school choice, and establishing vouchers for both public and private schooling options.

Teacher effectiveness is another significant component, with discrepancies observed between teachers' perceptions of student preparedness for college and the realities faced by college professors. Moreover, many U.S. teachers often teach subjects outside their fields, unlike their counterparts in Europe and Asia.

In conclusion, student success is a shared responsibility between teachers and students. While teachers must provide adequate support and belief in their students' abilities, as seen at The Equity Project, students must embrace their accountability in the learning process, especially evident in the contrast between virtual and face-to-face learning environments.