Poor Academic Middle School Performance

1. Poor Academic Middle School Performance What Should We Do? Public Policy Analyst Teacher: Ceasar Johnson Mr.Johnson@Inwood52.org IS52 Middle School

2. Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) • Define the Problem • Gather the Evidence • Identify the Causes • Examine an Existing Policy • Develop Solutions • Select the Best Solution • Feasibility vs. Effectiveness

3. Stuck in the Middle Evidence • Data & Methods • Middle School Disadvantage • Middle Schools losing ground in test scores; compared to K-8 environments • Higher absences reported in Middle Schools; compared to peers in K-8 settings

4. Stuck in the middle More Evidence • Explaining the trouble with Middle Schools • Too many adolescents in one place; compared to peers attending a K-8 • Lower marks in Middle Schools; compared to K-8s’ • The longer view

5. Middle School Malaise The switch from Elementary to Junior High School New Learning Environment and New Goals As the goals of the game change, some students adjust and thrive while others do not. Why? Which Students Do the Best? Causes

6. More : Poor Academic Middle School Achievement: Causes Combating Middle School Malaise • Puberty • Developing other interests • A lack of structure • Socio-economic factors; relating to academics

7. NCLB: Pros & Cons Existing Policy: No Child Left Behind Worksheet #4: To evaluate existing Public Policies The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires states to define challenging academic standards and administer high-quality assessments so that students, teachers, parents, and administrators can measure progress against shared expectations for student achievement.

8. Too much emphasis on testing Inflexible standards Diminished states’ rights Rigid emphasis on subgroups Over-emphasis on paper qualifications for teaching NCLB Law Disadvantages of NCLB

9. NCLB Law Advantages of NCLB • Greater quality control • Increased focus on the education of subgroups • More federal funds for education • Increased emphasis on teacher certification

10. Solution Enhance NYS Health Standards In Middle School Education A Closer Look at Health Education Skills p.20: • Self-Management • Relationship Management • Stress Management • Communication • Planning and Goal Setting • Decision Making • Advocacy

11. Solution continued… Enhance NYS Health Standards InMiddle School Education: A Closer Look at Functional Knowledge Skills p.28 • Physical Activity and Nutrition • HIV/AIDS • Sexual Risk • Tobacco • Alcohol & other Drugs • Family Life/Sexual Health • Unintentional Injury • Violence Prevention • Other Required Health Areas

12. Feasibility vs. Effectiveness Standards and Indicators p.18 Essential Student Question: What health knowledge and skills do I need to know and be able to do to be safe and healthy and achieve the NYS and National Standards? • NYSHE 1. Personal Health and Fitness • NYSHE 2. A Safe and Healthy Environment • NYSHE 3. Resource Management

13. Feasibility vs. Effectiveness Authentic Assessment p.18 Student Assessment Question : How will I demonstrate what I have learned and am able to do to be safe and healthy and achieve the NYS and National Standards? • Authentic or near authentic applications of health and safety knowledge and skills such as role plays, simulations, logs, portfolios, demonstrations, reflection journals, plans and service learning.