MIDDLE LEVEL PROGRAMMING: THE SUGGESTION OF 4 TASK FORCES

District 742 is looking at the possibility of creating a strong middle level program. Three Middle Level Task Forces (1993, 1995, 1999) concluded that true middle school programming enhanced the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of middle level students with a preferable configuration of 6th-8th grade. Then, there was a Facilities Steering Committee created in August of 2005 that reported the following:

• This group projected a need for a 3-year transition for the middle grades within 4-7 years
• They planned for middle level students at Kennedy to be separate from PK-5 students

Once again, a Facilities Task Force reconvened in August of 2008 and they proposed that the district move to a 6-8 grade level configuration.

After careful consideration of each of the studies above, district administration also recognizes that middle-level students have changed. We feel that we can have a greater impact on the socioeconomic, ethnic and ability differences that contribute to a widening achievement gap. Even so, we will be challenged knowing that a 6th-8th grade configuration costs more due to the fact that 6th graders are funded by the state at the same level as other elementary students.

We also struggle with our current enrollment that is unbalanced ethnically and puts one building at capacity because of boundary lines that have not been addressed. With a 6th-8th configuration, we could balance enrollment without drastic boundary changes, but if we continue to program for K-6th grade we will need to make dramatic changes to boundaries to provide access to buildings that best meet the needs of a K-6th population. Plus, one of the outcomes that would favorably impact children would be the creation of preschool programs at all buildings, but because of grade level configuration and buildings at capacity, we don’t have the space that allows for this.

As superintendent of this district, I will always try to alleviate overcrowding any one building. I will not disregarding this, nor will I disregard the research and the conclusions of 4 school-community task forces regarding the best practice for middle level students. I am also opposed to schools where we have two-year transitions. Even so, we must not make configuration options without a sound rationale; our decisions must align with the district’s Strategic Plan.

I am always going to align the district’s Strategic Plan for optimal student growth and proficiency, and I know that the implementation of PK-8/6-8 grade configurations is the best method of doing so. I recognize that we will have to strive toward operational efficiency throughout the district, but research-based strategies and decisions that support student learning and development cannot be ignored. We could merely house 6th-8th graders in buildings, but the program with the greatest impact would be a true middle level program.