Discrepancies in Achievement: Aspirations vs. Expectations Among Students HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF DIFFERENCES

There is a large body of research that focuses on the educational and occupational aspirations and expectations of minority students as well as between male vs. female students. Expectation is defined as a concrete or realistic plan students have and may differ from aspirations, which are generally more abstract and ideological (Trusty, 2002). As Hanson (1994) describes, a student may well have a high aspiration, as evidenced in the national statistics, such as to achieve a college degree; however many students might not actually expect to earn that degree during the course of their education (Trusty, 2002).

Why the discrepancy? In the past little effort has been made to differentiate between aspirations and expectations; and example given is a study conducted in 1991 by Marjoribanks, who used the term 'aspirations' to describe his study, but actually measured student expectations (Trusty, 2002). Thus part of the blame rests on the shoulders of researchers.

There is also evidence to suggest that sometimes students create aspirations that are unreasonable or unattainable (Trusty, 2002). This is an issue that must be dealt with by school administrators and teachers, who must work together to help students create aspirations that are attainable and reasonable. In addition, students must be taught in an environment that encourages and supports, and one that recognizes the unique challenges and hardships any individual student may face when attempting to realize their expectations. These ideas and more are explored below.

THE DISCREPACIES BETWEEN SUPPOSEDLY INCREASING EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS AND PERSISTENT GAPS IN SCHOOL OUTCOMES

Persistent gaps have occurred in school outcomes between the aspirations and expectations of students, particularly among genders and among minority students (Trusty, 2002; Kao & Tienda, 1998). Several studies (Hanson, 1994; Trusty & Harris, 1999; Kao & Tienda, 1998) have examined educational expectations using the National Education Longitudinal Study, and find that educational expectations generally remain stable with aspirations in particular for African-American students. However this study was limited to those students with high expectations.

The results...

Thus one may conclude that educators must work directly with students to determine individual skills and abilities, and help encourage students to set aspirations and goals that are in fact tangible and achievable in the long-term.
This will depend in part on a student's historical record of achievement and excellence in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to achieve the best that they can, given any reasonable limitations they may have with regard to environmental or individual factors.

In addition, socioeconomic status is a strong predictor of educational expectations; students with reduced educational expectations and unrealized expectations are more likely to have a lower socioeconomic status (Trusty, 2002; Kao & Tienda, 1998). In addition girls were generally found to be more positive than boys in attitudinal measurements, which may explain educational expectation outcomes (Trusty, 2002).

Some of the gender differences may be related to career choices. Socioeconomic conditions are more likely to influence women's choices with regard to college majors than men's choices (Trusty, 2002). Along these lines early reading performance and strong academic achievement was shown to be a predictor of choices for women whereas strong mathematical performance was an early predictor for men's accomplishments and choices (Trusty, 2002; Kao & Tienda, 1998).

There is a small body of research suggesting that parental influence may affect educational expectations and attainment between genders and for minorities, regardless of socioeconomic status (Fisher & Padmawidjaja, 1999; Trusty, 2002).

CHALLENGES THESE DIFFERENCES POSE TO EDUCATORS TODAY

Educators are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that students achieve what they set out to, to the best of their ability. It is the challenge of educators to match aspirations with expectations, and ensure that all students are armed with equal opportunities to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.

First and foremost, educators have to identify when a potential for a discrepancy…