1. Exploring the Concept and Institution of Middle Level Schooling
Chapter 1-ITMS
Turning Points
This We Believe

2. Middle School By Design
MSBA
Middle School By Accident
MSBD
Middle School By Design

3. Brief History of Middle School
1909- first signs of bridge needed btwn elementary and HS
20th century- present: HS departmentalized by subject area
Changing classes often
The junior high looked like a mini high school

4. Examples of problems of the junior high school
Curriculum too subject-centered
Teacher were inadequately prepared to teach young adolescents
Classrooms were teacher and textbook centered
Students were tracked
(Anfara & Waks, 2000)
THESE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST TODAY!

5. Contributors to rationale for middle schools
National Middle School Association (NMSA)
Turning Points
This We Believe
Turning Points 2000

6. National Middle School Association
Defines a middle school as one that is specifically structured to meet the developmental needs of young adolescents aged
Various definitions that are continuing to evolve-ITMS p.3-4.

7. Turning Points First Written in 1989
Milestone in the transformation of educational policy and practices
Recognized as establishing a comprehensive research agenda in middle level education across America
Developed as a blueprint for reform in middle level education in the US

8. What do you think about this statement?
Turning Points
Called attention to the opportunities and risks associated with early adolescence
The authors argued that a high quality education for all adolescents in America was a “matter of social justice but also a matter of national economic self-interest for protecting America’s future within a global economy”.
What do you think about this statement?

9. Turning Points
See pages 10 and 14 in ITMS by Sara Davis Powell for the principles of Turning Points
These principles will be met by improvement in curriculum, instruction and assessment, teacher preparation and development, and the role of parents and educational partners
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform further reinforces these principles

10. This We Believe
Position Statement by National Middle school Association (NMSA)
First Published in 1982, revised in the 1995 and 2003.
Provided a descriptive definition of middle school.
Provides Guidelines for developmentally responsive middle schools

11. This We Believe
See page 12 in ITMS by Sara Davis Powell for the principles of This We Believe (the latest version) characteristics of developmentally responsive middle schools.
In your own words, Turning Points…. And This We Believe….

12. Turning Points 2000
“The main purpose of middle grades education is to promote young adolescents’ intellectual development. It is to enable every student to think creatively, to identify and solve meaningful problems, to communicate and work well with others, and to develop the base of factual knowledge and skills that is the essential foundation of these higher order capacities.”
Turning Points 2000, pgs.10-11