Educational expectations are psychological constructs that change over time and can be altered or influenced by various factors. The concept of educational expectations refers to how much schooling students realistically believe that they will complete. These expectations are eventually raised or lowered as students see others like themselves experiencing successes or failures. Teachers and counselors can help students believe that they have control over their future, their education, and their social mobility. Building students' social capital and increasing their expectations that they will attend college requires coordinated, focused effort by school administrators and staff members. If schools develop students' educational expectations and social capital--while also teaching students the requisite skills and knowledge--their chances of graduating from high school ready for college are greatly increased.