State education officials say low expectations for African American children are part of the reason they lag behind white students in school. Department of Education director Ted Stilwell says parents and teachers should push minority students to do better. He says students are very good at sensing when someone believes in them.Gaynelle Narcisse of Des Moines says too often teachers expect less from minority students. Narcisse says that’s not good enough to push the students.Stilwell and Narcisse made their comments this past week at a public hearing sponsored by the African American Resource Directory. Two years ago, Logan Middle School in Waterloo saw a dramatic improvement in student achievement when teachers set a new standard for all kids. Officials say the key was every teacher, not just a few, expected more from all their students.
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