Whether you teach five year olds or fifty year olds, communication is key.  A quality educator doesn't stop with lesson prep or discipline plans, a quality educator is also a skilled communicator.  Certainly, the audience will determine the direction and depth of the out-of-class communication necessary for the educator's success.  Expectations, assignments, due dates, etc., are among the things that should be communicated to students and parents. 

Teachers of younger children must be in constant communication with parents about the expectations of the classroom and the required assignments for student success.  In this day of education reform, communication with parents must be a priority.  My first grade son comes home with a textbook but no assignment list.  He is expected to remember, or guess, which story he is supposed to read for his homework.  I know he is supposed to have a spelling test every Friday, however, we don't always recieve the spelling list.  Sure, he probably isn't the most responsible individual, but shouldn't the teacher be more pro-active in communicating with the parents?

For adults in the classroom, we like to know what's expected of us and when it is expected.  Trainers or educators who begin with an organized syllabus, detailed course requirements, and assignment due dates are often more respected and appreciated by their students.  If the ultimate goal is student success, then the educator must be intentional about their efforts to communicate to their students.