High Expectations or Hollow Expectations

We are very comfortable setting high expectations.
But we are extremely uncomfortable enforcing high expectations.

Many educators set the bar high, but few educators hold it…

For long.

We love to say we have high expectations. It sounds noble. It sounds inspiring, and it makes us feel good.

But high expectations don’t live in what we announce.
They live in what we enforce.

It’s easy to demand, “Turn it in on time.”
It’s harder to give the late zero and stand firm when the excuses come.

It’s easy to say, “Quality work only.”
It’s harder to give students D’s and F’s until they meet your standard.

It's easy to say, "These students won't behave." It's harder to call parents, write referrals, and enforce your rules – consistently.”

 And this is where we often break down. It’s not our belief, it’s our follow-through.

However, Expectations without Enforcement are just wishes.

True High expectations are not just a poster, a slogan, or a motto.
True High expectations are based on action.

• They show up in the assignments we give.

• They show up in the grades students earn, not the grades we wish they earned.

• They show up in the rules we enforce.

If students are going to rise, somebody has to hold the line. Somebody must insist on excellence long enough for excellence to become normal.

That “somebody” is us.