The unique needs of middle school students were discussed at an Anne Arundel County summit last fall, and now recommendations from that meeting are being carried out or considered.
“There is no easy fix to middle school reform,” said Sally Pelham, the school system?s assistant superintendent for strategic initiatives. “Middle school is a time of tremendous personal change for students.”
A task force was given the assignment of studying the schools and giving recommendations to Superintendent Kevin Maxwell.
Among the recommendations already in place is a reorganization of the Office of School Performance.
Last week, Maxwell expressed concern over eight middle schools that failed to make adequate yearly progress on last spring?s Maryland State Assessment.
He was optimistic some reforms would work come next April, when students take the tests again.
Under the new school system reorganization, there are six directors of school performance. Each is in charge of two clusters/feeder systems that preside over schools at all levels.
Previously, there was one high school, one middle school and four elementary school directors.
“Basically, it?s the beginning of closer monitoring of all schools and determining what they need,” Pelham said.
Kate Gilbert, for example, heads the Chesapeake and Old Mill clusters.
Pelham said a number of other recommendations are still being considered, including the extension of the school day to 7 1/2 hours. Currently, a schoolday is just under seven hours.
Another major finding was that funding and staffing for the schools should be based on school need to ensure equity.
