I think "school" is rather more like seeing a doctor and getting a prescription for your problem: if you get the Rx filled and take it and do the other things the doctor recommends, you are much more likely to recover quickly than if you put the Rx in your pocket and simply complain about how the doctor didn't cure you.
Some things you simply have to do for yourself. Students and their families, not just teachers, must do their fair share of the learning work. Students who are not present are not doing their fair share, parents who do not - for whatever reason - see that their children attend school regularly prepared to learn do not do their fair share. And teachers - however committed, well funded, or skilled - are unlikely to overcome such a basic lack of cooperation. Everyone has to do his/her fair share to achieve success. That includes students and families.
Ann Berget
Kingfield
