Being Part of Their Own Education Process

Reading the article "Equation of Success: Top Ten Responsibilites that Students Must Own" I started nodding my head. The according to the author, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, the following are what students need to "step up as a variable in their own equation of success:"

"Number One: Be your own advocate. Stake a claim in the classroom by making sure the teacher knows who you are...in a good way.

Number Two: Ask lots of questions....and show confusion appropriately.

Number Three: Communicate your struggles to your teachers. What is going on that affects your work?

Number Four: Think of school as your office in training. Are you a good co-worker?

Number Five: Dress for success, but don't panic, you don't have to wear a suit to be taken seriously.

Number Six: At least do the minimum so you aren't creating gaps that are harder to bridge later. Better yet, do more.

Number Seven: Sweat a little. School is your brain gym. You have to work out your muscles, make them a little sore, if you're going to lift a heavier load later on.

Number Eight: Find ways to relate to your reading and writing. What original thoughts and experiences can you bring to the lesson to make it come alive for yourself?

Number Nine: Be in class. Don't jeopardize your own training.

Number Ten: Surround yourself with other students who can help you. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you seek advice from, but find friends or acquaintances that are rooting for you, the best of you."

I believe, especially in my school district, that the curriculum has been watered down making it easier for students to slack and not have to step up to the plate. I feel that we are setting students up for future failures as the work place does the opposite; giving more responsibilites with less time to accomplish tasks and little instruction or guidance. When a parent calls in to complain that their child did poorly in a class, it is always the teacher's fault, never the student's. However, if the student took repsonsibility for his own learning, the phone call wouldn't even need to be made. These 10 responsibilities are exactly what students should be expected to do in school and in life in general. I have these expectations for my students with special needs and they do step up to the plate. There is no reason that all students shouldn't then be able to follow these responsbilities.