Middle grade governance, ‘Schools to Watch’ honored
Published: April 1, 2011
Effective middle school strategies for helping children succeed academically and personally were the centerpiece of recent gatherings in Sacramento of the California Middle Grades Alliance, composed of CSBA and nine other statewide organizations, and the California League of Middle Schools.
Representing CSBA at the Alliance’s Feb. 24 luncheon, Region 5 Director Laura Rich posed useful questions that she urged governance teams to consider in developing a vision for each of their middle school sites.
“What’s your ideal? How are you going to get there?” Rich asked, encouraging school leaders to think innovatively and not be stymied by obstacles. In particular, she urged, “Don’t let whatever happens in Sacramento or the budget get in the way of your vision.”
Trish Williams, the executive director of the not-for-profit EdSource research and analysis organization—and one of Gov. Jerry Brown’s appointments to the State Board of Education earlier this year—was the Alliance’s keynote speaker. She reviewed a recent EdSource study of algebra course placement among California eighth-graders. Joined by EdSource Senior Research Associate Matt Rosin, Williams expanded on the study’s finding that, while more eighth-graders are taking algebra, too many are failing because they are not prepared for that level of study.
Among their findings: Schools serving predominantly low-income and minority students were more likely than schools with mostly affluent students to make Algebra I the default curriculum in grade 8. The result—failing a course they are not prepared for—likely creates an aversion toward math in these students, Rosin warned.
2011 Schools to Watch
The California League of Middle Schools announced its 2011 Schools to Watch at the organization’s northern conference the day after the Alliance conference. Schools to Watch are recognized by CLMS as models for implementing best practices focused on academic achievement; responding to the developmental needs of young adolescents; offering a fair and equitable education for all students; and instituting organizational processes and procedures that foster and sustain academic growth.
This year’s Schools to Watch are:
- Andrew Carnegie Middle School, San Juan Unified School District (Sacramento County)
- Calavera Hills Middle School, Carlsbad Unified School District (San Diego County)
- La Paz Intermediate School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District (Orange County)
- Vista Verde Middle School, Val Verde Unified School District (Riverside County)
- Washington Academic Middle School, Sanger Unified School District (Fresno County)
School profiles will be added to those of 27 previous honorees that are already posted on the CLMS Schools to Watch website.
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