The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform is an alliance of over 60 educators, researchers, national associations, and officers of professional organizations and foundations committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents.

To accomplish its goal of improved academic and developmental outcomes for all students in the middle grades, the Forum identifies and disseminates best practices, articulates and promotes effective policies, recognizes and develops enlightened leadership, and informs and engages the public.  Read more . . .

Through its Schools to Watch^® (STW) program, the Forum has developed criteria for identifying high-performing middle-grades schools, created tools to help schools use the criteria, expanded the program to 18 states, and selected and honored 164 successful schools across the country during the Annual STW Conference.  Visit the Schools to Watch website for more information.

2010 Schools to Watch Conference 

June 24-26, 2009
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Washington, DC

Mark your calendars now for the 2010 STW Conference June 24-26 in Washington, DC. where high performing schools from around the country will gather and share best practices for advancing academic excellence, developmental responsiveness and social equity.

Schools to Watch Selected for 2009
Seventy-nine exemplary middle-grades schools have been named “Schools to Watch” as part of an eighteen state recognition and school improvement program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Having established partnerships with education leaders in these states, the Forum today announced the names of schools in each state that meet its strict criteria.  Read the Press Release. 

21st Century Skills Bullying Prevention Film Competition
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform has partnered with Stories of Us (USA) to establish a national competition for student films developed and produced using the Stories of Us method. The method emphasizes the inquiry process as students research the subject, collect data and build realistic timelines to explore how bullying develops, then translate their findings into short film scripts–and film selected scenes from their story.

Designed for middle and high school students, the Stories of Us active learning curriculum combines a range of 21st Century literacy skills and meets English Language Arts and Health Education standards. At the same time, the curriculum promotes social cohesion and helps reduce bullying in schools.

Indiana Selected for 2009 Middle-Grades Reform Program
Pinehurst, NC – In its continuing effort to replicate the programs and practices of outstanding middle grades, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform has selected Indiana to implement its acclaimed Schools to Watch® program. 

Indiana was chosen after a competitive selection process in which the state team demonstrated the capacity, commitment, and vision to partner with the Forum to establish the program. Indiana will now work with the Forum to select "Schools to Watch" at the middle level.  Read the rest of the press release.