This publication was originally published 29 June 2020.

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Research shows that teachers’ high expectations can promote students’ sense of self-esteem, self-efficacy and motivation, leading to improved student academic and wellbeing outcomes.

• What are high academic expectations? Are they consistent in your school?

Teachers can demonstrate high academic expectations when they encourage effort, have clear learning goals and promote the attainment of their students’ personal bests.

• What strategies do you use to demonstrate your high expectations of your students?

Feedback and interactions with students help convey teachers’ expectations and ensure that students feel known and supported, motivating them to continue to try their best.

• How can you ensure that every student feels known in your classroom?

Having high expectations requires a teacher to plan learning opportunities that allow all students to achieve challenging goals which are appropriate to their current understandings.

• What strategies do you use to differentiate learning activities so that all students are challenged to continuously improve and develop?

A whole-school emphasis on the value of education and of growth and improvement helps convey to students that their effort at school is expected and valued.

• How does the culture of your school impart high expectations of students?