The Un-Forgotten Middle--Secondary Educators Respond

A Collaborative Story
by Summer Retreat Participants*

Thirty-two educators, representing both the middle level and high school, met during the Summer Retreat to review the report The Forgotten Middle and offer their response to the ACT research study. During the lively discussion, the participants reviewed the Executive Summary and offered their own thoughts about the report findings.

Major Finding of the Unforgotten Middle Study

“The level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness by the time they graduate from high school than any that happens academically in high school.”

AH HAs, Wonderings, Additional Comments

• One of the biggest recognitions of the group was the need for a systemic approach to ensuring that all students meet the goal of college and career readiness.
• One of the major "ah ha's" at our table was that we have an assessment disconnect. The MEAP (K-8) is based on basic skills while EXPLORE, PLAN, and MME are based on college/work ready skils that are much higher than just the basics. 
• We wonder what changes/trade offs need to be made at Middle School to improve student achievement?  The MEAP data is not  aligned with the ACT, so students are not always high school ready when they come.
• College readiness is not just a middle school/high school issue.  It needs to be addressed and assessed at the K-5 level. 
• There is an essential, non-negotiable skill set that all eighth graders must possess in order to promote readiness for the rigor of high school coursework.  Progress on career readiness is a K-12 process that includes academic and psychosocial behaviors.  A commitment to funding for systemic, strategic interventions is necessary if students fail to attain high school readiness standards.

A smaller group of educators reviewed and responded to the recommendations in the Executive Summary:

Study Recommendations

1. Focus K–8 standards on the knowledge and skills that are essential for college and career readiness, and make these nonnegotiable for all students.
2. Monitor student progress in becoming ready for college and career, and intervene with students who are not on track to becoming ready, beginning  in upper elementary school and continuing through middle school.
3. Improve students’ academic behaviors.
4. Increase federal and state support for schools to implement intervention programs that help all students become ready for college and career.

Administrators' Responses and Recommendations

The group spent some time discussing the need for redesigning the 8th to 9th grade orientation process.  They felt that more focus on the academic requirements for high school students may be necessary.  Currently, most of the schools send counselors to the middle school to enroll students in classes.  The group felt more needs to be done to make sure that students get a better sense of the academic expectations of high school.  Some suggestions:

• Use 8th grade orientation to give EXPLORE or a placement exam
• Have 8th grade students take a high school class or two before coming to high school
• Have high school teachers come to the middle school to give a high school lesson
• Use technology to create online videos for students and parents about high school lessons/study guides, information about credit, high school assessments, NCAA requirements, college and career readiness
• Create early warning systems for middle level students to flag those who need intervention before going into 9th grade
• Design 9th Grade Academies
• Study groups, Summer Bridge programs, guided academics classes
• More college and career awareness programs

All in all, our education session generated great conversations between middle and high school educators. Here's an invitation to keep the "Collaborative Story" going. Feel free to add your comments, ah has, wonderings, and questions. TO BE CONTINUED....

*I hope I got everyone's picture who participated.  If you were there in our session and don't see your photo, email me one, and I'll make sure to add it to the collage.