Raising expectations - Module 3   151EPD007

The Department of Education and Training (DET) is a NSW Institute of Teachers endorsed provider of professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence.

This DET course or program is registered professional development under the terms of the NSW Institute of Teachers Continuing Professional Development policy.

For teachers accredited at Professional Competence, completion of this course or program will contribute six hours (1.5 hours for each module) towards Institute registered professional development.

This course or program will address the following Professional teaching Standards:

6.2.1, 6.2.4, 6.2.6, 6.2.7

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This module is designed to deepen understandings of the importance of raising expectations in Priority School communities. The resource supports facilitators in leading a professional learning workshop. It can also be used for self-directed learning.

QUICK ACCESS TO:
Module outcomes
Module materials
Facilitator's notes / process
Related materials / resources

Module outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of aspirations and expectations.

  • Understand how the expectations of principals teachers, parents, students and community can affect student performance.

  • Gain an understanding of a range of strategies for raising expectations.

Module materials

The module consists of core activities which are considered essential to understanding equity. Optional activities provide additional opportunities to explore the issues. All activities are highlighted throughout the module.

All core activities and in particular those marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed by teachers towards maintenance of their accreditation at the Professional Competence level with the NSW Institute of Teachers.

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Facilitator's notes / process

PowerPoint presentation: Raising expectations

Slide 1: Title of presentation - Raising expectations

Slide 2: Explain what are expectations and that this statement comes from the Equity principles (draft)

Slide 3: Discuss the definitions of aspirations and expectations

Slide 4: Introduce Professor Barbara Comber video excerpt 1 which was part of a keynote address where Barbara talked about a range of current and recent research collaborations with innovative and equity-driven teachers in low SES schools in the northern suburbs of Adelaide at the Priority Schools Programs 2007 Leading and Achieving conference

Slide 5: Participants discuss the two questions in small groups

Slides 6 to 8: Why raising expectations are important

Slides 9: Whose responsibility is raising expectations

Slide 10: Introduce Professor Peter Freebody video excerpt 2. This video is part of a keynote address at the Priority Schools Programs 2007 Leading and Achieving conference.

Confirm the importance of building on peoples strengths and moving away from the blame game

Slides 11 to 12: Explain the impact of expectations on students and the sources of teachers’ expectations of students

Slides 13 to 18: Examples of responsibility – Discuss and ask participants for comments

Slide 19: Participants discuss the case study from video excerpt 3 and consider how the student was supported by the class teacher, parents, support teacher and others to improve his literacy skills. Discuss responses in small groups and complete activity 3A*

Confirm the importance of maintaining high expectations

Slide 20: Participants discuss the questions. Discuss responses in small groups and complete activity 3B*

Instructions for activity 3B are as follows:

  • Brainstorm ideas which represent evidence of high expectations in the lower section of the bone.

  • Have the group brainstorm ways to raise expectations in the upper section of the bone.

  • Identify the strategies that will help the growth and place on the upper left side of the bone.

  • In the lower right section identify and list the challenges to overcome.

  • Prioritise the challenges using a ranking system.

  • Select those issues which will need to be worked on.

Refer to pages 17-18 of Raising Expectations: Achieving quality education to all. For examples of effective strategies in raising expectations.

Slide 21: Discuss content of slide

Related readings and resources

Download the following documents:

Working paper, Raising Expectations: Achieving quality education for all. NSW Department of Education and Training, Sydney 2005 (reprint)

Equity principles for learning

Equity and Pedagogy: familiar patterns and QT based possibilities , Griffiths et al 2007 (http://www.aare.edu.au/07pap/abs07.htm#G)

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