HANDOUT 3
Middle School
Reform
What does it take to prepare our
middle school students for
the 21st Century?
They must be able to …
 Work in teams
 Solve complex problems
 Connect learning across disciplines
 Think strategically
 Apply knowledge to real-life
situations
 Use technology
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Steering Committee Charge
Develop a comprehensive plan that:
• Is rigorous and challenging
• Improves teaching and learning
• Promotes continuous school
improvement
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Steering Committee Charge
• Ensures preparation for
rigorous high school standards
• Focuses on eliminating the
achievement gap
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Project Teams
•Leadership/Professional
Development
•Curriculum, Instruction, and
Assessment
•Extended Learning
Opportunities
•Human Resources
•Organizational Structure
•Technology
•Parent and Community
Engagement & Communication
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Policy IEB, Middle School Education



The Steering Committee was also
charged with revising Policy IEB using
the research and work of the 7 project
teams
Project teams reviewed Policy IEB and
made recommendations regarding its
revision
Revised Policy IEB was approved by
the Board of Education on February
13, 2007
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Process Used by
Steering Committee
• Reviewed project team reports
• Prioritized recommended actions
along with team co-chairs
• Identified key recommendations
• Categorized key recommendations
under six goal areas
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Six Goals
Goal 1: Ensure effective leadership
that promotes shared ownership for
student and staff success and
established a culture of high
expectations
Goal 2: Engage all students in
effective and differentiated
instructional practices using a
rigorous standards-based curriculum
and challenging assessments
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Goals
Goal 3: Provide extended learning
opportunities that engage and motivate
students to achieve at higher levels
Goal 4: Implement organizational
Structures that maximize time for
teaching and learning, cultivate positive
relations, and promote increased
student achievement
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Goals
Goal 5: Ensure that middle school staff
has the knowledge, skill, and content
expertise to meet the learning and
developmental needs of middle school
students
Goal 6: Engage parents and the
community as partners to promote
school and student success
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Multi-Year Initiative

Phase I: 2007-2008

Phase I Middle Schools
• Benjamin Banneker
• Roberto Clemente
• Montgomery Village
• Sligo
• Earle B. Wood

Phase II: 2008-2009
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Selected Recommended Actions for
Phase I and Phase II



Professional Learning
Communities Institute
Mathematics and Literacy
Content Specialists
New structure for resource
teachers and team leaders
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Phase I Recommended Actions



Innovative, interactive model
classrooms (21st Century
Classrooms – Promethean
whiteboards)
Rigorous core and elective
courses
Redesigned after school and
summer programs
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Recommended Actions



Funds to support team planning
and professional development
Study Circles and integrate
action steps in school
improvement plans
Parent Academy workshops
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Recommended Actions
for All Middle Schools



School Leadership Team Institute
Comprehensive Professional
Development Plan: differentiation,
rigor, equitable classroom practices,
data-driven instructional decisions
Guidelines for Advanced Instruction
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All Middle Schools



Alignment of mathematics and
English curricula with The
College Board standards (on
hold)
Formative and benchmark
assessments/new technology
tool (Performance Matters)
Additional counselors – selected
schools
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All Middle Schools




7-hour instructional data assistants
Guidelines for school schedules and
vertical articulation
Recruitment and hiring of middle
school staff with knowledge, skills,
and content expertise specific to
middle school
School and parent resources to
improve parent communication and
engagement
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Next Steps

Evaluate implementation of Phase I

Phase II: 2008-2009
• 9 schools

Phase III: 2009-2010
• TBD
Note: Implementation is contingent on
budget approval and results of the
implementation evaluation.
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Additional Information

The complete Middle School
Reform Report is available at
the following website:
http://www.montgomerycountyschoolsmd.org/info/msref
orm
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Questions
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