by T. M. Beeker

Created on: February 12, 2009

A student's learning is a three-part affair. First the student who gets the content and then proves they know it or not. Second, parents who either support / value education or not to their student. Finally, the teacher who provides the content and help where and when needed.

So when a student fails who exactly is at fault? First the student is since they either did not do the work to earn a passing grade or when struggling did not get help needed. Second, parents who either did not care about grades at all or became interested way too late to make a positive difference. Finally, a teacher who did not keep trying to get content across to the student and did not communicate concerns about a student's progress or lack thereof to parents frequently or loudly.

For a teacher to do their job they must never stop trying to get content across to the wide variety of students in a typical public school classroom. If they don't get it via a lecture, time to try reading then writing, then assess what works and what does not. No one method of teaching works all the time with every kid.

Next, when you recognize a student is not 'getting it' seek help from others who may offer advice, suggestions, or hints as to what may work with this kid. Finally, if the kid just does not care about what you are offering cover your own butt by communicating frequently, clearly, and widely your concerns. Yes, cover your butt. Too many parents and students sit back thinking the only party responsible for a student's learning is the teacher. So, if you are in the trenches alone without support build up a paper trail that shows clearly you have sought help from others in your school, worked as much as you can with the student, and then bombard parents with letters, emails, phone calls, and conferences all to illustrate your efforts at helping the student learn. And do not be surprised when a parent tells you to leave them alone, "During the school day they are YOUR problem, leave me alone unless they kill somebody." That email covered me when a principal wanted to know how hard I had tried to enlist the aid of parents in getting a student to make an effort at their own learning.

Parents by all means raise hell when you think a teacher is too limited in their teaching or just plain ignoring your kid. You know best how your kid learns and what motivates them. It is easier to save your student's grade 2 weeks into a term instead of the middle or even worse at the end. The teacher has a professional,

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