NMSA Announces Name Change
NMSA President Joan Jarrett and new Executive Director Will Waidelich talk about the name change. Here’s some points made in the interview from Education Talk Radio:
- The middle school movement started in Pennsylvania.
- Dr. Waidelich (pronounced like Wade-Lick) comes from the Future Farmers of America organization with a background in curriculum design, organizational finance and management.
- NMSA name change reflects the changes in middle level education: it’s a philosophy, not a building or even a specific group of grades.
- Teacher training universities are growing their programs in middle level education.
- Convention information: Louisville, KY this November with keynote speakers and information on best practice. “Giant array of product and visitors . . .”
- Middle schools need to be developmentally responsive, challenging students academically, empowering both students and teachers in academic skills and life choices, and being an advocate for children.
- Integrated exploratory curriculum and multiple learning approaches.
- High schools are finding out they too need to embrace some of the philosophies of the middle school. Balfanz’s research shows one high school student dropping out every 10 seconds.
- Best configuration for a middle school: depends on the developmental progress of the kids. Generally 5th through 9th grade is accepted.
- An essential component of every middle school: the student is guided by an adult advocate.
- 25,000 members
- education-talkradio.org for audio archives.
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