Teachers expectations dictate students outcome.

This article in the October 13th issue of Education Week talks about the effect of the teachers expectations, and how this influences their student's achievements. It can sometimes very subtle how a teacher treats some students differently, even with racially prejudice. Knowing that a student comes from a disadvantaged home a teacher may set lower expectations and in so doing setting that student up to perform lower. The article talks about soft bigotry and how it can become a vicious cycle of discrimination. Making any assumptions about how a student is going to perform will affect that students outcome.

The article sites a study done in the 1960s where teachers where told that their students where all going to be strong learners based on assessment. This predestination made teachers believe that each student could achieve great things and because the teacher believed it, the students believed it. In the end every student improved and the teachers found them to be exceptional students. I think this shows some of the dangers of prejudging our students before we actually can assess their achievements. It also shows us that every student has the potential to be a great student and to achieve. They just need someone to believe in them because if they feel this, then they will believe in them self.