Middle Level Leader - Best Ways to Build Collaborative Leadership
February 2013
March is just around the corner which means that it’s time to celebrate the “magnificent middle!” NASSP, along with the Association for Middle Level Education, The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, and NAESP have declared March as National Middle Level Education Month. Watch NASSP's website, as well as those of our partners, for ways to celebrate this critical time in the lives of young adolescents.
And since collaboration is the hallmark of an effective middle school, be sure to start off the celebration by reading award-winning author Judy Brough’s article on sharing practical ways that you can build collaborative leadership at your school.
Patti Kinney
Associate Director, Middle Level Services
Building Effective Collaborative Leadership
By Judith Brough
Collaboration in effective middle level schools is evidenced among all the stakeholders, including the students, and the principal is the chief role model in practicing collaborative skills. If you were to visit a school with effective collaborative leadership in place, you would witness eight common practices. The key to designing and implementing these critical practices is the development of trusting relationships where all people feel valued and integrally involved. (Continue reading)
Leadership in the Next Generation: From “I Have a Dream” to “We Have a Dream”
By Chris Toy
One of the most rewarding things about working in education and professional development is connecting with the next generation of educational leaders. In the following, Drew Patin, a new principal from Sanford, ME, shares his dream and vision for his school. Amidst all the challenges buffeting us, this new leader’s vision is a beacon lighting the way, assuring us that the next generation of educational leaders is prepared to move forward. (Continue reading)
Spotlight on Middle Schools
Because all of us have gone through a cold night or two when the heating system was broken or when the furnace just wouldn't heat up fast enough, service projects that involve either the spirit of the holidays or just helping people survive the cold are crucial. Look at what these National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members have done to make a difference during the cold season and beyond.
- In Stevensville, MD, the 14 members of the new NJHS chapter at Matapeake Middle School organized a Mitten Tree in December. More than 60 items were collected and sent to families in New York and New Jersey still facing the effects of Hurricane Sandy.
- At New Augusta Public Academy in Indianapolis, IN, students turned their holiday attention to Hoosier troops serving overseas in Afghanistan. In cooperation with Hoosiers Helping Heroes, the chapter members sent 40 miniature Christmas trees along with nearly 800 cards and letters to the troops.
- The NJHS chapter at Peter J. Palombi Middle School in Lake Villa, IL, supported a research center for children’s cancer by selling candy canes and cosponsored a volleyball tournament to raise money for local charities. Now they have adopted a larger service learning project. Last summer, students visited local marinas and community gathering places to put up posters and hand out brochures about protecting their lakes from invasive aquatic species. They plan to return in May and June to help wash boats and to share more information with local boaters.
- Twelve NJHS members sold tickets for a Nativity Tea hosted by the Los Altos (CA) Christian School. Students baked the goodies and helped serve those who came to view the more than 50 nativity crèches that were on display at the school. From the profits raised (nearly $800) the students helped offset the costs of a service dog for a wounded marine veteran through the program, Freedom Dogs: Heroes for our Heroes.
We commend these heroic efforts by our middle level student leaders!
News & Notes
Middle Level Education Month
While March is the “official” month to celebrate middle level education, those of us concerned with the education of young adolescents are encouraged to celebrate and advocate for middle level education all year long. To support these efforts, we have updated and added new resources to www.nassp.org/mlmonth. You will find a sample proclamation for your mayor or school board, ideas to draw attention to the happenings at your school, talking points, and much more.
Last Chance: Don’t Miss Ignite 2013
Online registration closes tomorrow, February 21, for NASSP’s national conference, Ignite 2013. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join with your colleagues and learn from well-known middle level educators including Rick Wormeli, Nancy Doda, Jill Spencer, Dedra Stafford, Bill McBride, and more! You can also check out the Ignite blog where many of the conference presenters are sharing advance information based on their sessions.
Meeting New DOE Guidelines on Sports Inclusion for All
The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently issued a directive detailing how schools are bound by federal law to ensure that students with disabilities are given equal opportunities to compete in school athletics. If you are looking for ways to meet these new guidelines, the free resources offered through Special Olympics’ Project Unify can help.
Regional Showcase to Bring Together Top Schools
The first Regional Breaking Ranks School Showcase—Saturday, April 20, at the San Diego Met High School in California—will feature more than a dozen diverse, high-poverty, high-achieving middle level and high schools sharing proven methods for addressing sustainable school improvement. The showcase is designed to help educators learn practical, student-centered strategies from teams of teachers, administrators, and students. Register today.
Access Archived Webinars
NASSP hosts free webinars throughout the year on a broad range of topics to offer school leaders the opportunity to learn from their peers and strengthen their skills. Recently, well-known middle level author and speaker Rick Wormeli presented a webinar on grading in the 21st century and we’ve posted his webinar and Powerpoint, along with answers to the questions asked by participants. Live webinars and webinar recordings from the current school year are open to all educators. Archived recordings from previous school years are available to NASSP members only.
Resource From the Southern Regional Education Board
A research report published by the Southern Regional Education Board, Improved Middle Grades Schools for Improved High School Readiness: Ten Best Practices in the Middle Grades, shares effective practices that middle grades schools have implemented as they strive to graduate more students ready for high school, college, and careers. “The results of this study indicate that the most improved schools committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement, while the least-improved schools did not make this commitment,” the report noted.
MiddleWeb's 40 Favorite Websites for the Middle Grades
MiddleWeb recently developed a free 24-page guide of their 40 favorite websites for the middle grades. Download the PDF to get new ideas for planning lessons, teaching ideas, or professional inspiration.
Rethinking Principal Evaluation
NASSP, in partnership with NAESP, Johns Hopkins University, and the American Institute for Research, has developed a research-based framework that will serve to shape policy around effective principal evaluations. Developed by practicing principals, the report:
- Identifies six key domains of school leadership
- Describes essential features of comprehensive evaluation systems
- Offers a roadmap for policymakers to follow in the development of these systems.
Apply to Become a MetLife Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough School
- Does your school serve 40% or more students on free or reduced-price lunch?
- Can you document improvements in academic achievement for at least the past three years?
- Can you speak to how your school has used the three core areas of the Breaking Ranks Framework—collaborative leadership; personalization; and curriculum, instruction, and assessment—for improvement?
If so, you are a great candidate to become a MetLife Foundation–NASSP Breakthrough School and receive a $5,000 grant. All schools that serve middle level or high school students are eligible to apply by the June 30th deadline.
Schools to Watch Conference
NASSP is a member of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform which sponsors the “Schools to Watch” program. This year, the annual Schools to Watch Conference will be held June 27-29 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott near Washington, DC. This conference brings together middle level schools from around the country that have been recognized for meeting the rigorous standards required of a School to Watch.