What Do Students Say About What is Expected of Them?

Although students may appear to accept or even relish teachers with low standards, they ultimately come away with more respect for teachers who believe in them enough to demand more, both academically and behaviorally. In a recent national survey of over 1,300 high school students (Public Agenda 1997), teens were asked on questionnaires and in focus group discussions what they think of and want from their schools.

Teens' responses concerning what they want were clustered in three main areas:
• A Yearning for Order. They complained about lax instructors and unenforced rules. "Many feel insulted at the minimal demands placed upon them. They state unequivocally that they would work harder if more were expected of them."
• A Yearning for Structure. They expressed a desire for "closer monitoring and watchfulness from teachers." In addition, "very significant numbers of respondents wanted after-school classes for youngsters who are failing."
• A Yearning for Moral Authority. Although teens acknowledged cheating was commonplace, they indicated that wanted schools to teach "ethical values such as honesty and hard work."

Similarly, when 200 middle school students in Englewood, Colorado, were surveyed about their most memorable work in school, they repeatedly "equated hard work with success and satisfaction. Moreover, they suggested that challenge is the essence of engagement" (Wasserstein 1995).

How does the research in the passage above apply to my work as an Instructional Coach? What teacher behaviors would I encourage? What teacher behaviors would I discourage? Share reflections at next NESS Support Group meeting.

Source: http://www.kidsource.com