Research shows us that expectations, feedback and growth mindset all have a positive impact on attainment.

High expectations[1], effective feedback[2], positive teacher-pupil and pupil-pupil (doc) relationships in a co-operative learning environment (pdf) and use of meta-cognitive strategies (web) will help Scotland’s children to experience a positive school experience and achieve, regardless of background.[3]

Carol Dweck and others have published widely on the positive impact of growth mindset on student attainment. For example, a 2014 report on mindsets and learning described a series of randomised control trials that showed that lessons in growth mindset led to increased school attainment and enjoyment of academic subjects.[4]

[1] Rosenthal, R. and L. Jacobsen. Pygmalion in the classroom: teacher expectation and pupils’ intellectual development. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1968.

[2] Clarke, S. Active learning through formative assessment, Hodder Education, 2008.

[3] Hattie, Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement, Routledge, 2008

[4] Dweck, C.S., Walton, G.M., Cohen, G.L. Academic Tenacity Mindsets and Skills that Promote Long-Term Learning, 2014.