Expectations for Academic Success

What are some of the expectations for academic success for today's students? Are teachers expecting enough from their students? What do teachers think are ways to increase student achievement? -- Concerned Parents
Answer: The questions that you asked can be answered because of the latest findings from the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher series released earlier this year. Some of the results were contradictory. You may be shocked to hear that ...
--Most teachers (84 percent) believe they can enable all of their students to succeed academically, but only (36 percent) of teachers say that all of their students have the ability to succeed.
--71 percent of high-school teachers say students in their school only do enough to get by.
--64 percent of teachers and 69 percent of principals strongly believe that all students need education beyond high school to be prepared for work or a career.
--Almost half of students say classmates in their school are promoted to the next grade level without being ready.
--Only 53 percent of students feel strongly that all teachers in their school want them to succeed.
--Most teachers (86 percent) believe high expectations for all students would have a major impact on achievement.
There is also strong agreement among teachers and principals that providing all students with core reading, writing and math skills; having adequate public funding and support for education; and strengthening ties among parents and schools would improve student achievement.