Standard D, Indicator 1: Encourages all students to believe that effort is a key to achievement.
Because I strongly believe that effort is key to achievement and I want my students to believe this as well, I allow students to turn assignments in late (without losing a significant amount of points) and re-do assignments if they make up the work within a reasonable amount of time.
I also have students answer post-assessment questions so they can reflect on the process and the amount of effort they put into the assessment. A copy of the question sheet is attached below.
In addition to self-assessment, inspirational quotes are posted throughout my classroom to encourage students to never give up. Whenever students tell me they "can't" do something, I smile and and politely remind them to review the quotes in the front of the room. My students know that I will not accept anything less than their very best. As Taylor Mali says, "I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face. How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best."
