Middle school: The ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of education? |
On Board Online • Albany Update • November 24, 2008
By Diane S. Ward
Governmental Relations Representative
Middle school has been called the “Bermuda Triangle of Education” – a place where many students lose their way. Many students become less interested in school and less self-assured about their abilities when they enter adolescence, which coincides with middle school.
Students’ grades on standardized tests drop dramatically in middle school, both nationally and in New York State. While there have been signs of improvement in New York, the number of students who are deemed proficient on the state’s English language arts and mathematics exams continues to decline each year in grades 5-8. In 2008, 77 percent of students in grade 5 scored Level 3 (proficient) or above on the ELA test. By grade 8, that number dropped to 56 percent. In math, scores declined 14 points from grade 5 to grade 8. The downward slide was even greater for students with disabilities, English language learners, blacks and Hispanics.
However, schools that focus on both the developmental and intellectual needs of their students are having success with this age group.
Bruce McBain, a middle school principal for the Moravia school district in Cayuga County, says the way to increase scores is to develop “the whole child.” At a recent summit organized by the New York State Middle School Association, he told attendees, “Every kid has to have a positive interaction with an adult every day.”
The State Education Department (SED) has designated McBain’s school as an “Essential Elements School-to-Watch” based on the “Essential Elements of Standards Focused Middle Level Schools and Programs,” which were approved by the state Board of Regents in 2003 and mandated for implementation in commissioner’s regulations section 100.4.
Nevertheless, Middle School Association President Linda Ruest said there has been limited understanding and implementation of the Regents’ Essential Elements. Middle schools are required to offer:
- A philosophy and mission that reflect the intellectual and developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents (youth 10-14 years of age).
- An educational program that is comprehensive, challenging, purposeful, integrated, relevant and standards-based.
- An organization and structure that support both academic excellence and personal development.
- Classroom instruction appropriate to the needs and characteristics of young adolescents provided by skilled and knowledgeable teachers.
- Strong educational leadership and a building administration that encourage, facilitate and sustain involvement, participation and partnerships.
- A network of academic and personal support available for all students.
- Professional learning and staff development for all staff that are ongoing, planned, purposeful and collaboratively developed.
SED cited a number of Moravia best practices that could be replicated by other districts. The grades 7-8 school employs interdisciplinary units of instruction. Flexible scheduling including blocking allows differentiation and in-depth study for all students, and a 10th period accommodates extra help and academic enrichment during the school day. Also in Moravia:
- The principal and counselor teach character development and anti-bullying units in collaboration with the Home and Careers teacher.
- Daily team meetings enhance the effectiveness of delivering academic support to students in need.
- Teachers do summer curriculum development and receive compensation for their work as members of a professional learning community.
- Teachers practice self-reflection to make data-driven decisions to improve student achievement.
McBain said the graduation rate at Moravia, a rural district, is rising. “We went from dead last in our BOCES to second place. I think it is result of what we are doing in our middle school.”
Additional information about middle-level education can be found on SED’s website at www.emsc.nysed.gov/ ciai/mle/middle.html or the Middle School Association’s website at www.nysmsa.org.