An example of a failure to acknowledge reality leading to bad results: the whole standardized test debate with students.

There are a number of factors that could lead to good or bad test scores. The quality of teachers, the aptitude of students, the commitment by parents. All of these factors are necessary for students to be succeeding at learning. But how do we test this? An quick (though imperfect way) is the standardized tests.

These standardized tests are meant to be a benchmark, a way to indicate how much students have learned.

Those that criticize the use of these tests do have a point that they are not all that good at determining if learning is going on, as well as the fact that "teaching to the test" is a common tactic used by some teachers/schools.

There is a problem though. What alternative benchmark do we have to work with? Usually, this is where the conversations stops, because opponents have no solutions.

We can look at overall aptitude without these sorts of tests. How well can students read, do math, write? These can be evaluated without an official "test." But the problem is, we are still back at square one when it comes to evaluating results. That is, we come to find out that through one or more factors of teachers, parents, or student inherent aptitude, the students still are not learning well even if you get rid of the use of standardized tests.

Therefore, attacking the standardized test as the root problem is a red herring. The root problem are the 3 factors.

With teachers, yes, we have some that just plain suck at their jobs. This will make it much harder for students to reach their full learning potential.

Though teachers (bad or not) are not able to be fully effective if the parents are not actively involved with their own children. We see many frustrated parents blaming the schools/teachers when they do nothing themselves.

And finally, we have the students themselves. Sometimes, you just have someone too stupid to succeed, no matter the other two factors.

The thing is, bringing up ANY of these factors as a cause for students not achieving and not learning is going to cause someone's feelings to be hurt.

"How dare you criticize teachers! They are heroes who are doing a wonderful job!"

"How dare you criticize single mothers! They are heroes doing their best!"

"My son is not stupid! The system is to blame!"