High Expectations Teaching: How We Persuade Students to Believe and Act on “Smart is Something You Can Get”

By Jon Saphier

High Expectations Teaching is an assets-based approach to advancing student achievement by helping students believe that “smart is something you can get” and that one’s ability to do something is based on the effort extended to build it.

Author Jon Saphier debunks the myth of fixed intelligence by presenting evidence that effort creates ability. He emphasizes the critical importance of teacher language in building student self-confidence, promoting healthy risk tasking, and perseverance.

High Expectations Teaching can serve as a catalyst for educational equity by helping teachers uncover biases that hamper their effectiveness with struggling students. Case studies highlight experiences of teachers and administrators who worked to implement high expectations practices in their work with students and teachers. A series of original video clips provide depictions of strategies in action.

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