Schools to Watch

Florida Selected for 2008 Middle-Grades Reform Program

Pinehurst, NC – In its continuing effort to replicate the programs and practices of outstanding middle grades, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform has selected Florida to implement its acclaimed "Schools to Watch" program.

Florida was chosen after a competitive selection process in which the state team demonstrated the capacity, commitment, and vision to partner with the Forum to establish the program. Florida will now work with the Forum to select "Schools to Watch" at the middle level.

Read the rest of the press release here.

Exceptional Middle-Grades 'Schools to Watch' Announced in Sixteen States

Champaign-Urbana, IL – Forty-seven exemplary middle-grades schools in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia have been named “Schools to Watch” as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Having established partnerships with education leaders in these states, the Forum today announced the names of schools in each state that meet its strict criteria.

Read the rest of the press release here.

2008 Schools to Watch Conference

Click here to download the flyer

Save the Date

Save the Date! 2008 Annual National Schools to Watch Conference.

Contributions to support the work of the National Forum can now be made through Network for Good.

As a not-for-profit, the scope of the Forum's work can be enhanced through tax deductible contributions. Three primary goals guide our work for making high performing middle grades schools the norm across this country:

Advancing middle grades education through advocacy initiatives
Improving school and classroom practice through our Schools to
Watch state initiative
Promoting research efforts

Please click on Network for Good to donate directly to the National Forum. Thank you for your support!

Middle grades improvement to be introduced in the US House of Representatives!

Middle grades improvement to be introduced in the US House of Representatives! Rep. Grijalva takes the leadership in calling for attention and intervention at the middle grades. Middle grades educators can help advance the cause by contacting your representative about the needs of the middle grades. Click here to find out more and for the National Forum's Schools to Watch Talking Points.

2007 National Schools to Watch Annual Conference

June 21–23— Washington, DC

Join us for this exceptional event and download the brochure here!
The National Forum has set June 21-23, 2007 for the 3rd annual Schools to Watch Conference. Make plans to be in DC for this premiere event where high performing middle grades schools and leaders learn and grow. The Schools to Watch program is a significant force in middle-grades reform. It identifies and shows schools how they might learn to achieve academic success through best practices for all young adolescents. Schools to Watch exemplify the National Forum’s vision and serve as resources for other schools. Download the Date Saver brochure and share with others.

59 Outstanding Middle Schools Selected as 2007 Schools to Watch!

Champaign-Urbana, IL – Fifty-nine exemplary middle-grades schools across the country have been named "Schools to Watch" as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Having established partnerships with education leaders in these states, the Forum announced the names of schools in each state that meet its strict criteria.

Each school was selected by state leaders for its academic excellence, its responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and its commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement. Please click here to view the press release and list of winners.

New Jersey & Oregon Selected for 2007 Middle Grades Reform Program

Pinehurst, NC – In its continuing effort to replicate the programs and practices of outstanding middle grades schools, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform has selected two additional states to implement its acclaimed "Schools to Watch" program.

The states of New Jersey and Oregon were chosen after a competitive selection process in which teams from each state demonstrated the capacity, commitment, and vision to partner with the Forum to establish the program. Each state will now work with the Forum to select "Schools to Watch" at the middle level.

New-Century Vision for Middle Grades Education in California

October 2006 –California uses the National Forum's Vision and Schools to Watch criteria to "launch a new-century vision for middle grades education in California." The STW initiative in CA is beginning its 5th year of identifying schools and building collaborative networks. Its advocacy impact will help schools across the state attain high performance.

PALMS Information Brochure

A recent report by the Education Commission of the States1 reveals that, among those of eligible age, only 15% of the Latino population earns a postsecondary degree, and an astounding 48% have less than a high school credential. The PALMS (Postsecondary Access for Latino Middle-grades Students) project was created in response to this crisis in educational attainment.

You can learn more about PALMS by viewing their information brochure.

The American Youth Policy Forum

Schools to Watch Highlighted at Congressional Briefing

Betsy Brand, Executive Director of AYPF, introduces panel

Nearly 100 federal policy makers, association leaders and congressional aides attended the AYPF on Julne 23, 2006 in the Rayburn House Office Building in DC to learn about successful practices in the middle grades. The session: MIDDLE GRADES REFORM: Breaking Ranks in the Middle and Schools to Watch featured NASSP’s Breaking Ranks in the Middle which focuses on strategies and recommendations to create developmentally appropriate and academically rigorous middle schools. To assist middle schools in reaching this goal, the National Forum's state Schools to Watch program, a state-sponsored self-evaluation and improvement program, was highlighted.

Schools to Watch operates in 14 states and through June of 2006, 87 schools have been identified as STW.

PRESENTERS:
John Nori, Director, Instructional Leadership Resources, National Association of Secondary School Principals
Linda Hopping, Co-Chair, Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch
Irv Howard, Program Director, California Schools to Watch

Click here to see highlights from the AYPF Presentation.

2006-2007 Request for Applications available
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, in collaboration with NMSA, NAESP, NASSP, and the NSDC, is inviting state teams to join us in implementing a state-level Schools to Watch program. Click here for more information and to download the 2006-2007 request for application.

Working with Latino Parents
www.palmsproject.net
The PALMS (Postsecondary Access for Latino Middle-Grades Students) Project has just published the findings of its year-long study on effective parent outreach strategies. After conducting interviews with several college access programs across the country, PALMS identified five strategies that are particularly effective in bridging the distance between Latino parents and middle-grades schools. Visit the "Reaching Parents" section to read vignettes describing the strategies in action. The website also includes a comprehensive review of research pertaining to Latino parent involvement.

Exceptional Middle-Grades "Schools to Watch" Accounced in Six States
February 2005, Pinehurst, NC – Fifteen exemplary middle-grades schools in California, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia have been named "Schools to Watch" as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Having established partnerships with education leaders in these states, the Forum today announced the names of schools in each state that meet its strict criteria for excellence. Download the full press release.

Arkansas, Michigan selected for 2005 Middle-Grades Reform Program.
Janurary 2005, Pinehurst, NC – In its continuing effort to replicate the programs and practices of outstanding middle grades, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform has selected two additional states to implement its acclaimed “Schools to Watch” program.

The states of Arkansas and Michigan were chosen after a competitive selection process in which teams from each state demonstrated the capacity, commitment, and vision to partner with the Forum to establish the program. Each state will now work with the Forum to select "Schools to Watch" at the middle level

New York and Ohio Join the STW Program
July 2004 – The National Forum has selectetd New York and Ohio as its newest partners in the STW effort. On July 19-20, representatives from the two states received training on how to replicate the STW program. The New York program is led by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Middle School Association. The Ohio program is led by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Middle School Association.