Educational success: 4 factors for success
What determines whether a child is successful at school? And who is responsible for this? In this article, we answer the question of whether the educational success of children can be controlled - and what the state, parents, teachers, and the children can do to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities.
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The family background
Parents play a major role in their children’s education. They are often the first and most important teachers their children have - and they play a central role in how children perceive education and how much importance they attach to it. However, not all parents have the same opportunities:
- According to a study by the German Institute for Economic Research, a child’s educational success is determined for half by the socio-economic status of their family. The first Pisa study in 2000 already showed that Switzerland is one of the countries where differences in performance are most strongly correlated with the social background of young people.
- Numerous longitudinal studies in Switzerland come to similar conclusions as the Pisa study. Children from academic families have a chance of up to four times higher of attending a gymnasium, achieving a gymnasium-level Matura and obtaining a university degree, if they have the same performance as children of parents with a lower level of education.
"Currently, we can predict quite accurately what educational level a child from a particular family will achieve. In a truly meritocratic system, where only performance and abilities count, this should not be possible."
- Prof. Dr Rolf Becker from the University of Bern; in the NZZ
State responsibility
Of course, the state has a fundamental responsibility for the education system. It ensures that schools exist and that every child - regardless of where they live - can attend school. However, this responsibility goes far beyond simply providing educational institutions.
- One important approach is the harmonisation of educational standards. There are initiatives such as the HarmoS Concordat, which sets minimum standards in the field of education. The aim is to create a certain uniformity in educational pathways and goals across the cantons. Children from all cantons should have access to education of equal quality - regardless of their parents’ income or social background.
- When it comes to equal opportunities, promoting early childhood education and supporting families with educational disadvantages also play an important role. State programmes can start early to ensure long-term educational success and mitigate social inequalities. The state must provide children with opportunities for self-fulfilment when the family has limited influence.
- The state should support parents in their role as their children's educational guides, for example through information and training programmes that raise parents' awareness of their children's educational needs. Such programmes could include tips on reading to children, helping with homework, or using educational resources. Furthermore, schools could organise workshops and parent evenings so that parents can better support their children. Topics could include learning strategies, digital educational resources, and the importance of emotional support.
Incidentally, according to Danish research, educational success is less related to a family's cultural background than to the structure of the education system.
Intrinsic motivation
Motivation is also crucial for learning success. This motivation can basically arise from five different reasons: 1) external pressure, 2) fear of bad grades, 3) a sense of duty, 4) genuine interest in the subject matter, 5) the awareness that learning provides added value in learning.
The equation is simple: Those who enjoy learning and take responsibility for their own learning process achieve better results. This positive self-perception can be learned. Children can develop a so-called "growth mindset," where mistakes are seen as valuable learning experiences.
Teaching staff
Teachers are in direct contact with students almost every day - and therefore have a huge influence on their educational success. The Hattie study by New Zealand educational researcher John Hattie even identified teaching staff as a central factor in children's educational success.
- According to Hattie, teachers must be convinced that they can have a decisive influence on their students' learning and believe in their own success. Setting common goals and evaluating one's own teaching methods using objective data and facts also plays an important role, according to the study.
- Teachers must convey their enthusiasm for their subject authentically and continually reflect on their impact on their students. According to John Hattie, this self-reflection of teachers is more important for the educational success of students than special teaching formats or a stress-free learning environment.
The following points are also worth mentioning:
- A positive learning atmosphere in the classroom can significantly facilitate learning. The goal is to create an environment that enhances students' well-being and motivation. Respect, empathy, and fairness should be the cornerstones of the classroom. Moreover, if teachers foster a close relationship with their students and build trust, this can significantly boost their engagement and performance.
- Every child learns differently. Teachers must be able to recognise these individual differences and act accordingly. For example, special support programmes for students with learning difficulties can be useful - or more challenging tasks for talented students.
- In an increasingly digitised world, it is important that teachers are familiar with modern technologies and can use them effectively in the classroom. The use of digital tools can not only make lessons more interactive and interesting, but also open up new learning paths and promote individual learning.
Tip: To address the specific needs and challenges of individual students, tutoring courses can also be a valuable addition. Professional exam preparation courses, such as those offered by Lern-Forum.ch, can help to fill gaps in knowledge, boost self-confidence, and deepen understanding of complex subjects - something that is often difficult to achieve in regular classroom teaching due to time constraints.
Gymnasium exam approaching? Start with a Gymnasium preparation course now at the latest!
Concluding remarks
In this article, we have examined the most important factors for the educational success of children: state responsibility, parental support, student motivation, and the role of teaching staff. Despite formal equality in the Swiss education system, studies show that social barriers still exist and children from less privileged families are often disadvantaged. The state should create additional structures that provide equal educational opportunities for all children and support parents in creating an optimal learning and educational environment.
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