Communicating Standards.

How do teachers ensure that students know and understand what is important? There should be no secretes about what is expected and what it will look like when students are meeting those expectations.
Let's begin by examining some behaviors that are common among teachers who create atmospheres of high expectations and get great results with students.

1. Direct communication: The standard of performance is explicitly brought to students attention, verbally, in writing, or through a visual model.
2. Specific communication: The details of the standard for students performance are clearly stated or otherwise spelled out.
3. Repeated communication: The standard is repeated often to make sure students absorb it.
4. Positive expectancy: The standards are explained with an accompanying expression of teacher confidence signaling " You can do this".
5. Modeling: A teacher may clarify for students what is wanted to by performing.
6. Personal contact: There are frequent occasions of face-to-face interaction with students before, during, and after class, even in the hallway.
7. No excuses: Teachers hold students accountable, putting them on the spot when work is not turned in.