Critique of the article

Critique of the article

A critique on article named “the wounded students” taken from the journal “Educational Leadership” (March 2008, Vol. 65 No-6): association for supervision and curriculum development.
I selected this article for following reasons,
First, I have selected this article for in-depth understanding about the causes of wounded students in school settings which directly effects students performance
Secondly, as it is consider one of the crucial issues then how can we over come such kind of issue in our schools
Wounded student is one of the hearts touching issue which is very common in our daily life. While reading this article I came cross two real examples of wounded students as the author interviewed about more than hundred students. It is our common observation that schools consciously or unconsciously suffer students by their stick norms, unprofessional teachers or perceived abilities by school practices. I think unprofessional teachers are the root cause of this problem as they label students by different names. These teachers need professional knowledge or professional trainings on teaching and learning. The author has given an example of Marie she was very curious in Maths in her primary grades but she was labeled that she did not fast enough or well equipped in Maths therefore she was told that she can not perform well in upper secondary level. The author has mentioned following causes of wounded students
Wounded learners caused by discouragement, I think it very true in our society that teacher do not appreciate students on their achievements. Everyone are hungry for appreciation therefore students need to be encouraged
Students are not given much value but keeping teachers high expectations. I think it is not realistic that teachers do not give value them as well as nor keeping high expectation in my observation.
The third cause mention in the article that teachers underestimate students which creates underperformance. Yes I think it is very true that individual has capacities and they can perform well but teachers do not underestimate students. They will perform according to their capacities.
Poor grades and bad test scores also causes wounded students. To some extend they are also factors of wounded.
The author has given some realistic strategies to overcome these issues most important point is schools should acknowledge these issues that schools has wounded students and they are labeled ‘bad kids’. Schools try to find out the causes of suffering factors and identify reluctant students. Then make some initiatives such as meetings or regular appreciation boosted up their confidence. School should have their own annual plan for teachers’ professional development. The unprofessional teachers are the main cause of this issue therefore schools should give opportunities for teachers to develop themselves with modern method and techniques of teaching and learning. Teacher need to improve their understanding and knowledge in their field. Once they are developed they can not cause these issues in the school. Students are also realized about the success and failure of school progress and students are encouraged to work hard, develop good working habits. These regular routines help students to heap up such problem in the school.
In conclusion, wounded students are suffered by unprofessional teachers or strict schools norms. We need to improve our practices by gaining more knowledge in our professional field. We should reflect our practices where they are benefited or harmful for students. If we have any case then we should start working on it and try to overcome in the initial stage.



Bashir Ahmed
MEd 2011
AKU-IED