Editor, Commonwealth:
I am a sophomore student who attends Amanda Elzy High School. I am also a consistent principal’s scholar who possesses self-discipline, the drive to learn and a self-motivated attitude.
With that being said, I understand when people say that it is up to the student whether he or she wants to learn or not. That statement is definitely a fact.
But when does this statement become invalid? A student cannot be expected to sit in a classroom and learn a new concept or objective on his or her own. Someone will have to guide this student so that at some point, he or she will be capable of utilizing the new skill.
During this school year, I feel like in a couple of my classes, one of them being a subject area testing class, I have been left to fend for myself. The skills needed to pass this standardized test have not been appropriately taught.
I am obviously not writing about every single teacher at Amanda Elzy High School. The majority of the teachers put their all into ensuring that the students receive a quality education and are capable of effectively applying the information that has been learned.
Although the good teachers outnumber the bad, there are one or two I have personally experienced who seem to deliberately slack off on the task set before them.
Because of one teacher’s ineffective teaching strategies, my classmates and I are feeling insecure about the standardized tests being administered this month. We have been asking for additional help all year long. To be truthful, we have received some assistance, but a week’s worth of instruction will not make up for a wasted eight months.
It is without a doubt our responsibility as students to go to class, be attentive and absorb all that is given to us. We obviously cannot be baby-sat and handed everything, but what should be expected of us when we are not even supplied with the instruction to build on what we have previously learned? You cannot expect a house to be built without a strong foundation.
Barbara Duncan
Schlater
