When studetns struggle to learn, who's fault is it? How much blame belongs on us, the teachers and how much belongs on the parents and graudians?

I don’t think it’s that simplistic. With that said, parents need to do better!

Well, parents need to be doing better across the board. However, if a large portion of your students aren't learning, then you might want to do some self reflecting.

I had a student graduate last year whom I was convinced had an undiagnosed learning disability. He was 21, born in the USA though his parents didn’t speak English. He didn’t know how to operate a combination lock, and he scored a 12 on the ASVAB, which is so low he’s unqualified for any position in the Army. The school didn’t want to test him for special needs because he was so close to graduating. He loved my class, he did the best he could, and I tried teaching him the best I could. But as they say, no teacher is Super(person), and I honestly don’t know how he’ll fare in the real world out there.

Parents ultimately need to take responsibility for their children and their education. Involved, informed parents will typically lead to higher-performing students.

Honestly there shouldn’t be blame but rather a two way street/partnership. It’s very nuanced right-if some students are having a hard time, it could be them (too difficult subject, not an easy subject for them to learn, life things, etc) but if almost everyone is failing, it’s systemic (education geace promotion/inflation, unfair test questions, etc). An awesome teacher also cannot be a magician for students who don’t do the work or don’t care enough to learn.

This is not an either or, or even a multiple choice question. If students struggle to learn:

1) is the student actually struggling. Or is this a euphemism for if the student is getting poor grades? I see a huge difference here.

2) is the student struggling because of environmental factors? Has to work, not getting sleep, has so many responsibilities that the homework doesn't happen until late at night and they fall asleep, extreme stress, unhoused, etc. Is that the parents fault? Maybe. Maybe not. But probably not the school's fault.

3) is the student struggling because of inherent limitations? This may be a teachable situation: strategies or accommodations, learning styles, extra effort may help. Or this material may be beyond this student. Hard to admit, but sometimes...

4) is there a problem with the way the material is being presented? Or a lack of connection such that the student is not willing to try for this teacher? This is school responsibility.

And these 4 are the easy questions, and they are probably not something the student has control over. Sometimes there is blame to be assigned. But more likely there's a problem to be solved.

Now if they're not struggling, there's different analysis to deal with..

Probably on those teachers that are unable to spell students and guardians.

Reflect. Are the kids who show up, behave, and do the work learning what they should? Then you've done your job as a teacher.

Some classes have ALL that sort of kid. Most have a mixture. A few have none.

It tends to be an article of faith in education that if the kids haven't learned, the teacher hasn't taught. It's not necessarily true, but lots of people believe it anyway. Of course, there are really are some teachers who don't teach. Just not as many as you'd think if you listen to the inadequate parents of apathetic students.

I work at a high school, so we get the socially promoted students who were constantly passed along, usually without intervention. The fingers can point in multiple directions, as I see more and more students entering 9th grade who can barely write (let alone spell correctly), who lack any basic study skills, and have almost no motivation to learn. I think there is an almost balanced mix of those who have a learning disability that no one bothered to test, students with parent-reported ADHD/other issues- but don't want them on medication, and/or lack of proper oversight at home. Lately, whenever I mention tutoring, the parent scoffs, so that tells me a lot. But it's not a coincidence that the vast majority of our top students have very involved parents with high expectations.

The only thing that the teacher can be blamed for is not letting the parent know as soon as possible when there is a concern. Giving the parent helpful tips and resources to do at home. Its the parents job to follow through and push their child to focus and learn at home, so they are better at school.

Hmmm, Im not entirely sure “blame” needs placed. However, I have three children. My kids are with educators for 7 hours a day, when we go home we are resting, taking care of our home and farm and animals, sporting events, cooking, adventuring, nature walks and hikes, learning life skills and skills and strategies to balance life. I expect them to learn academics at school. If I were to choose to homeschool, then obviously, their academics would be my responsibility. We read and do math; such as money, measuring, etc. but I expect educators to be helping my child to learn since they are with them for 7 hours- I only get 5-6 hours with them. If my child were struggling, I would reach for further resources to assist, but I would expect the teacher to reach out and communicate with me so we are on the same page. At large, I feel that there are many factors at play in our public school system, but a teacher looking to place blame probably wont solve anything in regards to their students success. A better question might be “what resources and information are out there to better help my students succeed.”

Well, parents need to be doing better across the board. However, if a large portion of your students aren't learning, then you might want to do some self reflecting.

I think it depends on "struggle to read".

In what sense?

The idea that someone did something wrong if some people had to struggle to reach higher levels of mastery in a skill...

I can't run a marathon but nobody would ask who to blame because I struggle with running. It would make more sense to just start to meet me where I'm at and help me grow. Because struggle can be good as long as it results in growth and progress.

Education is a four legged stool. Teachers, students, parents, and administration must all work together to achieve common goals. When one leg is missing, the educational process suffers.

Don’t worry about blame. Let’s find out what inspires a learner and support that with our resources! Short answer.

When a student fails to learn, the teacher fails to teach. That being said, why not consider using our resources, and that also includes other professional staff, to diagnose potential road blocks and remove them to assist student learning. Frequent and appropriate positive reinforcement will also help. Keep in mind that if a student has a history of little or no success in school, why in the world would he/she want to be in school and continue to face challenges not previously met. Those students do the sane thing and “drop out”…..wouldn’t you?

Parents from ages 0-5 especially

Interesting and tricky question. It depends on the age, parents and teachers. Regardless the case, the fact that the teachers are considered as the masters opening the mind of a children; they are the one get paid the big bucks, they are called to make changes happening, therefore there’s no doubt it’s the responsibility of the teachers.