QUOTE:
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According to the Globe's analysis, more than 200 of the state's 305 middle schools have fallen short of performance goals established under the federal No Child Left Behind Act for at least two years.
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Other experts say the lackluster performance is the result of previous middle school changes that, they say, sacrificed academic rigor for too many programs on student self-esteem and well-being.
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Braintree's East Middle School, like many suburban middle schools, consistently scored above state averages, but in 2004 East got designated for improvement because special education students were not showing progress in math.
"The first thing you do is denial. 'Oh, it was that group of students or a bad year,' " said Bill Kendall, the district's math coordinator. "But eventually you stop making excuses and start being honest and reflecting. It's hard to admit things could be better. - 'Many middle schools in Bay State stumbling' Boston Globe, 8/6/08"
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/08/06/many_middle_schools_in_bay_state_stumbling/
It is an amazing day when the
Boston Globe, the most liberal of newpapers, publishes an article questioning teaching practices in Massachusetts' middle schools. It only took a 65% rate of 'fallen short of performance goals' for No Child Left Behind.
It's impressive what a standard, consistently applied, can accomplish. (I never thought I'd ever say this but...) Thanks Ted Kennedy.
