Being a ‘good’ student means to be able to learn the information that your teacher has laid for you, it means you can listen, sit quietly in class, ask meaningful questions, participate in conversation, and being able to take tests. A good student would be getting good grades, understanding what is laid out in front of them, and they should be moving through and understanding the material at the same speed of other students. This is all what we assume to be ‘common sense’ from your culture, society and schooling background. Students that act out in class or do not learn at the same speed as other no longer fit this description, they are not considered to be a good student.
This definition of a ‘good student’ is most for middle or upper class, white students, the ones that have been raised with these values. Common sense is determined by the leading cultural group, which means if you are not from that group you most likely are to face more challenges when it comes to schooling. This also disadvantages students with learning or physical disabilities, because it is made for the majority, and those not included in it do not always receive the same quality of education. It is impossible to see the negative effects of this because common sense is set up by the majority, and it works out for the majority, but there are always those left out.
Hi paityn,
I like how you mentioned that common sense is created by the majority and that some are bound to be left out. Because we can see the hierarchy that’s set up the education system and people could have more advantages than others.