Positive expectations are important for students and teachers. When teachers have high expectations for their students, the students are likely to rise to meet those expectations and perform better academically. Conversely, low or negative expectations can become a self-fulfilling prophecy where students fail to meet low expectations. It is important for teachers to communicate positive expectations to students from the first day of school, such as stating that students will have a successful year and learn a great deal. Setting high standards along with high expectations can encourage students to work hard to achieve those standards.