Teacher expectations

Definition

Teacher expectations refer to the beliefs and assumptions that educators hold about their students' abilities, behaviors, and potential for success. These expectations can significantly influence students' academic performance and self-esteem, as they often shape the classroom environment and impact how teachers interact with their students. When teachers have high expectations, they tend to provide more support and encouragement, fostering a positive learning atmosphere that can lead to improved student outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Research shows that teachers who express high expectations for all students can close achievement gaps between different groups of learners.
2. When students perceive that their teachers believe in their capabilities, they are more likely to engage actively in learning and take on challenging tasks.
3. Low teacher expectations can lead to decreased motivation and lower academic performance among students, creating a negative cycle of underachievement.
4. Teacher expectations can vary based on factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and gender, which can influence the level of support provided to different student groups.
5. Promoting a culture of high expectations requires professional development for teachers to reflect on their biases and assumptions about student abilities.

Review Questions

• How do teacher expectations impact student motivation and engagement in the classroom?
  • Teacher expectations play a crucial role in shaping student motivation and engagement. When teachers maintain high expectations for all their students, it fosters an environment where students feel supported and believed in. This encouragement often leads students to take on challenges and participate actively in their learning. Conversely, low expectations can demotivate students, causing them to disengage from the learning process.
• Discuss how low teacher expectations might contribute to the achievement gap among different student demographics.
  • Low teacher expectations can significantly contribute to the achievement gap between various student demographics. When educators hold lower expectations for certain groups based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status, they may provide less support and fewer resources to those students. This lack of encouragement can result in diminished academic performance and self-confidence, perpetuating inequalities in educational outcomes and limiting opportunities for those students.
• Evaluate the role of teacher training in addressing biases related to teacher expectations and its impact on student success.
  • Teacher training plays a vital role in addressing biases related to teacher expectations, ultimately impacting student success. By incorporating professional development focused on recognizing and overcoming biases, educators can learn to set high expectations for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. This shift not only fosters a more inclusive classroom environment but also enhances student engagement and performance, leading to greater academic resilience and better overall outcomes for diverse learners.

Related terms

self-fulfilling prophecy: A phenomenon where a person's belief or expectation about another individual influences that individual's behavior in a way that confirms the original belief.

growth mindset:

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, leading to a love for learning and resilience in the face of challenges.

academic resilience: The ability of students to effectively cope with setbacks, challenges, or adversity in their academic journey, often influenced by teacher support and expectations.