Accountability

Accountability is an important part of teaching and is monitored within a school in multiple ways. Some of the first and key duties of a teacher are outlined in the Education Act. This act makes teachers accountable "to teach diligently and faithfully the classes or subjects assigned to the teacher by the principal... to encourage the pupils in the pursuit of learning" and to "discipline in the teacher’s classroom and while on duty in the school and on the school ground" (Education Act Part X Duties of a Teacher).

Nowhere does it state that teachers are responsible for ensuring all students receive 90% in all subjects and nowhere does it state that a teacher is a sole reason that students perform at a certain academic level. With respect to accountability, there are many ways teachers are held accountable for these things. Not only does administration keep track of marks, but stream leaders also help ensure that all a course has consistency between all sections. Additionally, teachers are held accountable by parents and students for delivering course content and providing good feedback on a regular basis. So while there are many things that teachers are held accountable for, there are things within a classroom that teachers cannot be held responsible for.
The fact is, there are many factors contributing to student success.

A student's academic performance is affected by their sleeping habits, their home life, the amount of extra-curricular activities they are involved in, their friend groups, and so many other factors. This means that even though teachers are a key part of the learning process, their help and instruction needs to be supplemented with student work. For this reason, teachers cannot be held solely responsible for the academic results of the students. The content and way a teacher instructs their class is one part of a big picture.

So I find accountability to be an everpresent part of teaching that is positive if the things that a teacher is made accountable are logical and reasonable.