Self-efficacy vs. self-esteem: (ineffective use of praise) Administrators and profesional developers tell us all the time: "Studys show low self-esteem is inextricably related to low academic performance." Then they turn the pressure up on us, asking: "what are you doing to make your students feel better about themselves?" The answer they want from us, invariably, is praise. There is a common misconception in some circles that more praise equals better students. However, our