statistically educational output is roughly half innate skill and half effort. most kids who are not a natural math genius can learn the material to a satisfactory level with enough effort, for example. clearly there's always exceptions but if you walked into a classroom in the district most of the failing kids are ones that could be successful.Highlander wrote: I suspect the parents had a lot to do with those numbers. There's obviously roadblocks to learning in any poorer school district but even if teachers were incompetent, it's not like the students don't have text books and a functioning brain. A little effort goes a long way.
there's claims that success in school dates all the way back to what we learn at age 2-3. that language and the ability to sit still are two foundation skills for success in school.
so parental effort plays a large part in educational outcomes, but way sooner than when they're in school. the kid who gets time everyday with a mother or father that displays an ability to sit down and do a task for long periods is showing the kid how to act. the parent that at the same time is talking with their kid about anything is teaching their kid language, the foundation for all learning