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Comprehensive
School Reform Models
Aim
at Middle-Grades Results
• Different
Ways of Knowing
Making
Middle Grades Work
•
Making Schools Work
Success for All Middle School
Program
Talent
Development Middle School Model
•
Turning Points
Model
Design
Key
Features
Guided
by current research and practice emphasizing the developmental
needs of young adolescents, Middle Start upholds the
three goals of academic excellence, developmental
responsiveness, and social equity in middle-grades
education through four basic principles:
- Reflective
review and self-study of teaching and learning,
reviewing student work, curriculum, and instruction.
A Middle Start school engages in ongoing inquiry
into teaching and learning, using both internal
and external reviews of student work, curriculum,
instruction, and teacher assignment. Reflection
and inquiry are central to the school's approach
to continuous improvement of learning for all students
and to the cultivation of a collaborative professional
culture of leaders and learners.
- Small
learning communities and a teaming structure
that provide a supportive environment, caring adult-student
relationships, and a challenging educational program.
A Middle Start school has small learning communities
with interdisciplinary teams at each grade level.
Teams of teachers meet during common planning time
to set instructional priorities for their team,
develop interdisciplinary units, conduct reviews
of student work to assess the team's direction and
needs, and communicate with parents. Such small
learning communities are important to the healthy
development of young adolescents as they foster
a caring and supportive learning environment.
-
Rigorous curriculum, instruction, and student assessment
aligned with content and performance standards,
and data-driven decision making to address issues
of equity, reduce gaps in learning, and improve
learning outcomes for all students. A Middle Start
school explicitly focuses on improving student learning
and achievement. The school matches rich curriculum
with best instructional practices and exemplary
assessment to realize the full potential of each
student.
- Distributed
leadership and sustainable partnerships among
district, family, and community members in order
to improve learning and development for all students.
A Middle Start school cultivates sustainable partnerships
with families, the district, the school board, local
businesses, universities, and other community groups
for the purpose of enhancing student learning. The
school fosters high levels of awareness and support
for middle-grades education among its partners.
Leadership is shared and distributed throughout
the school and through all levels of the school
community; all members of the staff hold themselves
accountable for student learning and achievement.
Organizational
Supports
The
Middle Start school leadership team involves families,
school staff, and community partners in school governance
and in making decisions about policies and practices
for the improvement of teaching and learning. Middle
Start combines on-site support to schools with the
development of regional partnerships of schools and
local organizations. A Middle Start coach works with
a school leadership team to guide the school through
the improvement process while the regional partnership
brings together service agencies, universities, advocacy
groups, and institutions to build capacity for continuous
school improvement.
<<
Background |
Research Findings >>
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View
other Comprehensive School Reform Models
Aim
at Middle-Grades Results
• Different
Ways of Knowing
Making
Middle Grades Work
•
Making Schools Work
Success for All Middle School
Program
Talent
Development Middle School Model
•
Turning Points
|
