Who is to Blame? Students, Teachers and Parents Views on Who is Responsible for Student Achievement

This research investigates who students, parents and teachers believe is responsible for student learning. Thirteen focus groups were conducted with Year 9 and 10 students, and parents and teachers from three diverse New Zealand secondary schools. Differences were found with respect to whom the three stakeholders thought were responsible for school success, with students looking more to themselves and their own effort whilst teachers and parents placing more importance on the student teacher relationship. Parent responsibility was seen as less important by all groups. However, when it came to responsibility for failure all three stakeholders tended to point the finger away from themselves.