Ms. Santos was preparing to start a unit on American literature, focusing on themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of the American Dream. She knew that the traditional approach of assigning readings, followed by class discussions and essays, would not be enough to engage her diverse group of learners. To ensure that every student could access and connect with the material, Ms. Santos decided to incorporate several intentional instructional adaptations.

In many classrooms, low expectations subtly shape the learning experience, often limiting student growth and engagement. This blog explores three common ways low expectations manifest: through overuse of teacher talk, permissiveness, and poor selection of learning materials. By shifting to a student-centered approach, setting clear boundaries, and curating high-quality, culturally relevant resources, educators can create an inclusive environment where all students are empowered to excel. Discover strategies to recognize and replace low expectations with practices that foster equity, critical thinking, and a true sense of belonging