Why Parents and Students Often Blame School Systems for Poor Educational Performance
One of the shortest sighted questions asked on Quora might be Why do parents and students tend to place the blame on school systems when school performance is defined by IQ? This reflects a misunderstanding of both the limitations and the complexities involved in educational performance.
Understanding IQ and School Performance
Broadly speaking, one's IQ is a raw score that denotes their level of intelligence, mostly related to cognitive reasoning and problem-solving abilities. However, it is not a guarantee of educational success. Educational performance is influenced by many factors beyond just IQ.
Case Studies
I will illustrate this with two personal acquaintances: one from a private school and the other from a public school in a low socioeconomic area.
Case 1: Private School Education
This individual was not naturally bright, and his parents recognized this. Despite this, his parents invested in private tutoring and expensive school fees. His hard work and the support from exceptional educational resources allowed him to achieve good grades. He pursued a degree in Commerce and Accounting at UNSW and now works as a CPA-qualified accountant with Deloitte.
Case 2: Public School with Adverse Circumstances
The second individual was exceptionally intelligent and demonstrated a strong thirst for knowledge. However, he grew up in a challenging environment. Raised by a single mother who worked full-time, he lacked a male role model and faced bullying at school. The school did not provide the nurturing support he needed, and the teachers were not encouraging. He was left to pursue his interests and learning by himself, despite feeling undervalued.
The Role of School Systems
While both individuals showed potential, one was afforded numerous educational advantages, while the other received minimal support. Schools play a crucial role in fostering environments that encourage and facilitate learning. In the case of the latter, the school system was significantly sub-par, which negatively impacted the student's educational journey.
Blame and Responsibility
Parents and students often blame the school system for poor performance, and while it is true that some schools have issues, it is also important to recognize that students have an equal responsibility to study hard and engage positively with their education.
Unfortunately, there are instances where students have the innate ability to make remarkable achievements but are not provided with the required support due to the setting of their education. This is particularly unfortunate when these students come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, where additional support is necessary but lacking.
Conclusion
While schools have a significant impact on educational performance, it is unfair and short-sighted to always blame them. Both students and schools share the responsibility for fostering an environment conducive to learning. However, in cases where students have the capacity to excel but are not provided with sufficient support, the issue becomes more pronounced. Schools should strive to provide appropriate resources and support to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.