This presentation contains practical tips for setting high expectations in the classroom.

1. High Expectations
The Teaching and Learning Group

2. Objectives
Outline what is meant by ‘high expectations’
Share some practical ideas for setting high expectations in the classroom

3. Why?
It is principled
It is well established that students will live up (or down) to the expectation you set for
them
The Rosenthal-Jacobson Study
Teachers told they had a ‘more able’ or a ‘less able’ class
‘More able’ class did significantly better
Actually both classes were of the same ability

4. A penny for your thoughts…
What does ‘high expectations’ mean to you in the classroom?
Please discuss.

5. High Expectations…or just the
minimum expectation?
Homework and assignments completed (on time)
Behaviour appropriate to the activity
Students properly equipped and dressed
Seeking help rather than accepting failure
Students expected to have a go
Encouraging a growth mind-set…ability increases with effort
Following up on students who fail to meet expectations

6. Believe the Baseline
Performance in May 2013 IGCSEs Relative to Baseline
Prediction
100
90
Number of Occurences
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-5
-4.5
-3.5
-3
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Difference (in grades ) between actual performance and baseline prediction
(positive means better than baseline, negative means worse)
2.5
3
Deviation Proportion of
from Baseline All Grades
(%)
(grades)
0.0
20.1%
0.5
48.3%
1.0
68.3%
1.5
86.7%
2.0
95.6%
2.5
99.3%
3.0
100.0%

7. Teach Like A Champion
The following ideas are from ‘Teach
Like A Champion’ by Doug Lemov
Amongst other things, gives five
low-effort ideas for raising
expectations

8. Idea 1: No Opt-out
Rationale
The Technique
This sets the expectation that it is not
okay not to try.
1. Ask students a question
2. If no answer or incorrect
answer, seek input from other
students
As a bonus, it also helps those who
are trying but honestly don’t know the 3. Once the correct answer has been
answer.
given, return to the original student
and get them to repeat the correct
answer

9. Idea 2: Right is Right
Rationale
To set the expectation that the
questions that you ask are
important, and that their answers
matter.
Minimise the lower expectations set
by ‘rounding-up’ students answers.
The Technique
Only praise fully correct answers
Let students know they are almost there
Expect more detail from partially correct
answers
Ask the student for more detail
Give prompts to encourage further
thought
Ask other students to help out
Don’t partial answers, and don’t round
them up

10. Idea 3: Stretch It
Rationale
The Technique
Sets the expectation of knowledge as
the reward for achievement rather
than praise.
Answer fully correct answers with a
more challenging question:
Explain how/why
Give an alternative
method/approach
Think of a better answer
Ask for evidence
Apply a related skill
Apply understanding to new context

11. Idea 4: Format Matters
Rationale
The Technique
Sets high expectations about the way Set an expectation for:
knowledge is communicated.
Full sentences
Grammatically correct answers
Audible answers: loud and clear
Effective communication is essential
Correct units: no ‘naked numbers’
for success at all levels.
Insist that answers not meeting this
are repeated until they do

12. Idea 5: No Apologies
Rationale
Sets the
expectation that
everything you
teach (and thus
knowledge more
generally) has
intrinsic value.
Avoid
Instead…
Assuming something will
be boring
Find a way to make it interesting
Blaming the great
‘they’…CIE, the IB, your
HoD etc
Explain to the students why something is
on the curriculum
Dumbing down
Embrace the challenge
‘This is difficult stuff, so it will feel
great to master it.’
Apologising for students
Avoid pre-deciding that a student won’t
be able to do something, or wouldn’t be
interested in something

13. To Discuss
Which of these five ideas do you think are good?
If you don’t think any are good, what suggestions
of your own do you have?
Which do you already do?
Which would be most keen to try to do?
What concerns do you have about these ideas?
Ideas Recap:
No Opt Out
Right is right
Stretch It
Format Matters
No Apologies