Common sense dictates what constitutes a “good” student, who qualifies for privilege under this definition, and how historical forces have shaped the “good” student. According to my personal experiences in elementary, high school, and university, a “good” student in a classroom is one that actively participates in a lesson without being distracting, earns good grades, and comports themselves in accordance with social expectations.
Kumashiro and Painter both support wealthy, white individuals as the ideal student, despite their views being significantly dissimilar. White men are seen as the only capable race in Painter’s writing, thus they will consequently get the best education and teachers. In Kumashiro’s text, wealthy white students are given the advantage since they are more likely to be able to afford tutors and attend institutions with superior faculty, both of which will boost their prospects of academic success. A excellent student is one who excels academically and satisfies all the “outcomes” that the instructor and class want them to achieve; this type of student is more likely to come from a wealthy, white household that can afford to support them.