This is something I'm very passionate about. I've worked in many low-income schools and every single one had "honors or advanced" courses. If you remove expectations and opportunities for students to challenge themselves you are in essence telling your them that they are not as smart as students who live in middle/up-middle neighborhoods. Furthermore, there are many schools programs available for students who need extra support. If we don't at least hold students accountable to be at school and try their best, those attitudes and habits will follow them through life
This is what I have ben saying for years. "Not allowing circumstances become excuses, but teaching students to find ways around, through over under those circumstances." I have gotten lots of disagreements and "looks".
This is awesome. I'm a firm believer that expectations directly impact individual growth. Expectations influence reality. People strive to meet the expectations set for them - positive or negative. Set high expectations and watch students meet or exceed them.
Thank you for articulating what I want to communicate to parents/administrators who pressure me to lower my expectations for all my students so that they can succeed in their post-secondary studies!
I teach kindergarten students in an urban school. I have very high expectations and it helps a lot with classroom management. I know they are 5-6 years old, but they can do a lot of things independently and do awesome when given the opportunity to lead in the classroom. Also, they crave structure from me as well
