Right is Right helps teachers set and defend a high standard of accuracy in the classroom. There is an important difference between partially correct and 100 percent correct answers. Teachers should refrain from adding details to a student’s almost-correct answer and passing it off as mastery. With Right is Right, the teacher does not move on until the student responding gets the answer 100 percent correct (i.e. accurate academic vocabulary, complete sentences, exact number, etc.). 

• Ask students a question and evaluate the response. If the answer is incomplete:
  • Hold out for “all the way”: Students can get discouraged easily, so keep a positive tone. Praise students for their effort, but ask for more. Do not confuse effort with mastery.
  • Model and use specific vocabulary: Require students to use academic vocabulary in their answers.
• If the student’s response is not related to the question asked:
  • Provide support for a related answer: Students learn early on that when they do not have the answer to a question they can just respond with something else. If students are unable to provide a related response, it means they have not mastered the content. Acknowledge that the response is not aligned to the question and the teacher should let the student know that the answer is not right.
  • Require the right answer, at the right time: Do not let students answer questions ahead of time. It cheats the class if the teacher responds positively to one student's desire to move ahead at a faster pace. Protect the integrity of the lesson by not jumping ahead to engage a great answer at the wrong time.