Academic expectations

A new survey from MetLife suggests that teachers have high expectations of students but those expectations and standards fall short in practice.

The MetLife “American Teacher” survey series also shows “significant gaps in teacher and student perceptions about academic success,” with the gaps most evident in schools with a large number of low-income students.

The survey also shows strong agreement among teachers and principals on a range of 14 factors both within and beyond the school that would improve student achievement. Among the most highly rated, by nearly nine in 10 educators, are 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.

"The annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher is not just about asking, but also about listening," Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation, said in a statement. "In this survey, 69% of teachers do not believe their voices are being adequately heard in the current debate on education. We can learn much from those closest to the classroom about working together to increase student success."

KEY SURVEY RESULTS
• Most teachers (86%) believe high expectations for all students would have a major impact on achievement.

• Teachers (77%) and principals (82%) strongly agree that most teachers in their school hold high standards for all students.

• Most educators (64% of teachers; 69% of principals) strongly agree that all students need education beyond high school to be prepared for work or a career.

• Fewer teachers and principals in schools with high proportions of low-income students strongly agree that most teachers in their school hold high standards for all students, compared to those in schools with low proportions of such students (teachers: 71% vs. 81%; principals: 78% vs. 91%).

• Half of teachers (51%), including most secondary teachers (71%), say students in their school only do enough work to get by.

• Teachers expect that an average of 50% of their students will attend a two- or four-year college after high school.

• More than one-third of students (36%), including more boys (41%) than girls (31%), say they only do enough work to get by in school.

• A little more than half (53%) feel strongly that all teachers in their school want them to succeed.

• Almost half (45%) say students in their school are promoted to the next grade level without being ready.

• Most students (79%) plan to attend college, but only half of students (55%) feel very confident they will achieve their goals for the future.

• More girls than boys have aspirations to attend college (85% vs. 73%) and believe they will achieve their goals (59% vs. 50%).