If you think you can do a thing
or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.
~Henry Ford
The theme of this Buzz is the enormous impact that our expectations have on the outcomes we achieve. Research has more than adequately shown that high parental and teacher expectations can result in higher student achievement. Low expectations or lack of expectations tend to produce the opposite result.
So, how do we surround and encourage our children with disabilities to strive with the best they have toward goals they value? What can parents do, and schools?
Our best to you all,
The CPIR Team | Debra, Lisa, Jessica, Ana-Maria, and Myriam
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For Parent Centers and Families
She Will Never…
Many of you already know Rene Averitt-Sanzone, formerly of Region 2’s PTAC at ECAC, now the Executive Director of The Parents’ Place of Maryland. In her recent blog, Rene shares the ups and downs of her family’s journey: discovering, screening for, and coming to terms with hearing impairment; and advocating for and watching the incredible successes of her remarkable daughters.
What Matters Most: Research on Elevating Parent Expectations
Put simply, efforts to change the post-school landscape must include a heavy investment in equipping families to hold high expectations from an early age, to aspire toward and advocate for enviable outcomes after high school, and to share this vision with every person whose life intersects with the lives of their sons and daughters.
The Effects of Training on Parent Knowledge and Expectations of Student Post-School Outcomes
A key predictor of successful post-school outcomes for students with disabilities is high parental expectations. This project examined the impact of training parents about transition agency services and found that, yes, providing such training increases parents’ knowledge and expectations for post-school outcomes for their young adult with disabilities.
For Educators and Administrators
Do We Really Have High Expectations for All?
The bottom line of this article, written by a middle school educator, is: “We have to match our beliefs about expectations to our daily actions in the classroom.” Teachers will find lots of insight into the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that high or low expectations are communicated to students.
Establishing a Culture of High Expectations
This PDF of a PowerPoint presentation summarizes 10 effective strategies for establishing a culture of high expectations at school.
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The CPIR hopes that you’ve found useful and relevant resources listed in this month’s Buzz from the Hub. Please feel free to write to the editor, Lisa Küpper, at lkupper@fhi360.org to suggest the types of resources you’d like to see in the future. CPIR is listening! Your input is extremely valuable to helping us to craft newsletters that support your work with families.
Debra, Myriam, Jessica, Ana-Maria, and Lisa
The CPIR Team
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Publication of this eNewsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R130014 between OSEP and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.