A new study on effective middle schools has just been released. (Cursor down to the bottom to download the report.) The research was conducted by EdSource with several reputable researchers on board, including Michael Kirst. They looked at 303 middle schools in California; half served middle income students and half served low income students. (via Joanne Jacobs)
Controlling for student demographics, they found certain commonalities in the high performing schools. The high performing schools identified student disabilities quickly and provided services. They prepared kids for demanding high schools. They had goals for the students that could be measured. Adults were held responsible for meeting these goals. Curriculum and instruction were closely aligned with state standards. Effective leadership by the superintendent and principal was critical. Also important was parental involvement.
Significantly, they found no correlation between successful schools and modes of instruction or organization of teachers. In other words, collaborative learning and styles of math instruction made no difference in student performance.
Harry had a great post a few weeks ago about the importance of bringing research on education into the schools.That's why I forwarded this study to our local middle school principal and the school superintendent. I suggest that you do it, as well, along with a friendly little FYI e-mail.
Apt. 11d 
My friend’s husband teaches at the middle school in Central Falls, the SD that fired all its high school teachers with Obama’s approval. UGH. Seriously, I had a feeling I was going to hate Duncan. and not just because I hated him for the 4 years he played on the Harvard basketball team vs. my beloved Big Red. I really think this whole “Charters will save education” movement is bogus.
Anyway, if leadership is key, why the hell is CF hiring “leaders” with no educational experience whatsoever? The teachers resent the hell out of that.
Providing services? What services? Is there money for services? My friend is cooking food on a regular basis for some of her husband’s students, who are homeless and hungry but still trying to come to school anyway. What does the report have to say about money for these services? Or will they get this money by firing all the teachers?
I suspect that disability intervention is key, as is feeding the kids. Other than that, let them have experienced teachers who understand classroom management. Maybe that’s my own personal trauma of having to manage 23 kids for an hour every week, but it’s WAY harder than I could have imagined.
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Yes, I’ve seen similar things happen in San Francisco, where, in favor of saving money or “being innovative” a school hires Teach for America volunteers rather than experienced teachers. The Teach for America volunteers are good people, but they don’t have experience where it’s really needed.
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