Accountability

An interesting article from the Washington Post by Daniel Willingham caught the eye the other day. It had nothing to do with physical activity on which we normally focus but might have everything to do with leading healthy lifestyles.

The author questions the push of the Department of Education towards teacher accountability where teachers could loose their jobs if student performance does not improve. The Department in essence gives students a free pass for any accountability (if tests scores are discounted). The point is made that it is fair for a first grade teacher to reach out to students as they might not respond on their own. But if the same thing is said to a high school teacher the system failed to teach and prepare students to handle responsibility.

Dr. Willingham, who teaches at the University of Virginia, reflects that freshmen are unaccustomed to the idea that they are fully responsible for their actions in the academic arena. In contrast, most professors think of students as 100% responsible for their own learning while their job is to teach well. It is indeed the same attitude in the workplace or military. Why then the entitlement attitude of young adults to think that someone else will step up or that there is always a plan B?

In all the formulations of teacher accountability for student performance, student responsibility is not taken into account at all. Failure is blamed solidly on teachers. Certainly students are responsible to do their part and society should demand it.

The same principle applies to leading a healthy lifestyle. One can have all the knowledge, all the equipment, and all the support, but if you don't take the first step you can expect personal results. It remains the responsibility of the individual.
Michael Cordier