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Answers To Your Questions About Middle Level Education

Almost every parent of a child between the ages of 11 and 15 has asked some variation of this question: Whatever happened to that sweet, happy-go-lucky, eager-to-please child who used to live in this house? And where did this moody, self-conscious, unpredictable, daydreaming preadolescent come from? Parents, rest assured: nearly every child of a similar age is beginning to change--and many other parents are also coping with bouts of moodiness, resistance to family activities, and inattentiveness in school.

Of course, your child is unique, but there are so many similarities of development among this age group that middle level education has been compelled to change both its structure and its models of teaching in order to be successful.

First, a definition of what middle level education includes: A middle school may be any consecutive grades between fifth and eighth. A junior high school usually includes the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. While the grade differences may seem slight, there are important philosophical questions that middle schools must address. For instance, should they be a copy of high school, with students treated simply as younger high school students? Should the middle school mimic the traditional high school schedule of changing classes each hour? Should teachers have a strictly academic focus toward students?

Most educators answer "No" to these questions. That is because, traditionally, the high school model, when used at the middle level, has been successful only with highly motivated and secure children. It has been far less successful with the student who is "not there yet" socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

Therefore, the following features of middle level education philosophy make very good sense.

Team Teaching. Students are assigned to a team of teachers (e.g., five teachers for every 125 students). The team members plan and work together so their expectations of students are consistent. They watch the progress and success of their students and intervene immediately if they see a student is struggling.

Advising. One teacher serves as an advisor for each small group of students. This teacher is usually one of the team, or a support teacher who already works with the team. The importance of this advisory group is that each child is known and supported by at least one adult in the school. The advisor also serves as a person whom parents can contact with any concerns.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum. Middle school students learn better if they can see the interrelationships between academic subjects. Therefore, students may be assigned, for example, a math project which also incorporates writing, art, history research, or science.

Exploratory Experiences. Particularly successful at the middle level are experiences related to the real world. The students enjoy getting out of school to work in the community on service projects.

When properly implemented, and guided by the philosophy that children come first, middle level education can give students the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive. The effects are positive for the strongest academic students as well as for students who are struggling. Middle level education strives to provide the flexibility and personal touch necessary to respond effectively to students during this period of unpredictable and uneven development.

Parenting Tips:

• Learn about the characteristics of middle level students and what changes are occurring in their minds, bodies, and emotions.
• Find out how your middle school or junior high school functions, and what its philosophy is. Get to know your student’s advisor and teachers, preferably before you have concerns! Don’t miss orientation, open house, parent-teacher conferences, and volunteer opportunities.
• Be available to your child as a listener and supporter. Hold to high expectations, but don’t fall to pieces when your child doesn’t meet them every time. Be prepared for unpredictability and some inconsistency, but encourage every mark of progress.

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