NYT Middle School Article

The Middle school debate is well covered in this article with the argument that middle school is hurting student educations. The upheaval of sixth graders to a new school at a trying time in their life, as well as then transitioning again only three years later to the high school, are significant factors in the high school dropout rate and the lag of middle school student performance. The k-8 schools are classic and give middle school students the comfort zone that helps them whenever they are facing new and unexpected challenges of early adolescence. The 6-12 schools are goal driven focusing on goals of graduation, college, and the future. Both of these schools have the similar goal of eliminating one of the potentially harmful transitions that middle school students are forced to go through. The debate does not seem to have enough statistical data to support either school as being stronger, though it does show that the elimination of the middle school has helped students to perform better.

I feel that the elimination of the middle school in highly urban or rural schools has its place. In a country setting the comfort zone felt from a k-8 school will help give a security blanket to students who are used to the small town, everybody knows each other, feeling. In contrast, the 6-12 school would absolutely have a great impact in very urban areas like Boston, New York, Chicago, etc.; as students at these schools are not necessarily used to seeing the options they have for their future. Seeing reminders of graduation and college, as well as having many people know and care about what happens to you; could give those lost students the support system they need to succeed. I grew up in a small city where there were 3 high schools, 3 Jr. high (middle) schools with grades 7-8 only, and over 12 elementary schools. I had no problems with the transitions from elementary to middle to high school. I would say that my experience was one of middle of the road, change is an inevitable experience and learning to adapt to the new environments was part of my education.

I plan to move to the Boston area and teach there after graduation, I would prefer to teach in a 6-12 school as I will have a better opportunity to be of help and support to my students throughout their entire adolescence. I would be interested in finding out how this debate ends up after further study.