Is a high failure rate always evidence that a course is badly taught?
No. A high failure rate alone does not prove that a course is badly taught. It may also reflect the subject’s difficulty, expected prior knowledge, assessment methods, workload, attendance, or students’ preparation and engagement. However, a high rate is a reason to review the course content, explanations, grading criteria, and available learning support rather than dismissing it as irrelevant.
Key points
- Failure rates alone cannot determine the quality of teaching.
- The subject’s difficulty, prerequisites, assessment methods, and students’ preparation should be considered together.
- The syllabus, assignment and exam criteria, course feedback, and instructor guidance can provide a fuller basis for evaluation.
Things to check
- What counts as an appropriate failure rate and assessment approach varies by university, faculty, and course.