Levels of Expectation

I have been reading about teachers' levels of expectations.  Alderman (p. 183) questioned "Which has more positive effects on student expectations: minimal requirements that all students are expected to reach or the most hoped-for level anyone can reach?" To answer the question, Alderman cites Brookover, Beady, et al 1979. " The research shows the most important differences affecting achievement were (a) the level of expectations teachers held for students, and (b) teacher commitment to ensuring that academics were learned." (p. 184).  Brookover et al. concluded, although a student body composed of minority or low SES students may predispose teachers and principals to accept low levels of achievement, this can be overcome through developing a positive academic clinate with appropriate instruction.  Some of the ways teachers can communicate high expectations are: build on student's prior knowledge, help students construct their own knowledge, communicate information in a variety of ways, engage in dialogue that requires more than one-word answers.  Perhaps the important point to take away from all of this is,when teachers have high expectations, their students will rise to or excel above the expectation.