High teacher expectations:Low student engagement :: Low teacher expectations:?

When teachers set very high expectations, students often feel overwhelmed and disengage, so high expectations can paradoxically lower engagement. By contrast, when teachers lower their expectations, students may feel less pressured and become more engaged. This illustrates a self‑fulfilling prophecy: the teacher’s belief influences student behavior, which then confirms the teacher’s belief. For example, a teacher who thinks a class is “difficult” may give fewer chances to participate, and students respond by staying silent. If the teacher instead believes the students are capable, they are more likely to invite participation, and the students’ engagement rises, confirming the teacher’s optimistic belief.