1. Successful Schools for Young Adolescents Patrick Montesano February 19, 2008

2. Academic excellence Developmental responsiveness Social equity

3. Middle-grades student achievement in NYC (2006) Less than 37% of eighth graders met or exceeded English language arts standards Less than 39% of eighth graders met or exceeded math standard Less than 46% of eighth graders met or exceeded science standard

4. Over 223,000 middle-grades students About 590 schools with middle grades

5. Principals About 58% of NYC middle school principals have less than three years experience. Over 11% of NYC middle school principals retired or resigned in 2005-06.

6. Teachers Almost 29% of NYC middle school teachers have less than three years experience. Over 12% of NYC middle school teachers left service in 2005-06.

7. NYC teacher shortage Bilingual common branches Bilingual special education ESL Math Science Special education

8. Successful practices Classroom/team School/community Network/SSO DOE City State Federal

9. Challenging Curriculum Alignment of instruction and assessment with high standards Highly differentiated instruction and multiple assessments Varied supports, attention to early indicators, early interventions, additional learning time, accelerated programs Attention to social development, health/fitness

10. Data Multiple indicators Student work

11. Small learning communities Teacher teams Common planning time Personalization

12. Distributed leadership and partnerships Within schools Family and community collaboration School networks Interagency coordination

13. Professional development and incentives Early adolescence and implications for teaching and learning Pedagogy and early interventions Academic and developmental supports Family engagement strategies Financial incentives

14. Youth development Aspiration and preparation for high school and postsecondary education Looking ahead to work and careers Civic engagement

15. Patrick Montesano Vice President and Director AED Center for School and Community Services Academy for Educational Development 100 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10011 212-367-4573 pmontesa@aed.org www.aed.org www.middlestart.org