[Simtrainer-l] Failing middle school questions

edwin ellis edwinellis1 at gmail.com
Tue Apr 2 06:43:29 CDT 2019


Hi all, 

I’m working with a failing middle school - roughly 70% of the 6th graders, 50% of the 7th graders, and 35% of the 8th graders are reading at or below 2nd grade level. Math scores are worse.

I’m recommending that they take extraordinary measures -  specifically, I’m recommending two 90 blocks of reading instruction and one 90 minute block of math instruction per day for the foreseeable future. The message below contains three questions from the school's’ leadership, Thus my question to you is, do you have any insights into middle schools who have taken similar extraordinary measures? Insights into answers to their questions? 

Thanks, Ed

Edwin Ellis, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, University of Alabama

President, MakesSenseStrategies.com <https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmakessensestrategies.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Csimtrainer-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C6e8f664a2f4b4939990f08d6b760702b%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C1%7C636898022160905230&sdata=JDo%2FxP%2FMkeB1RIFRiQxaFeKxqmGdiR6PdfqLttYvlF0%3D&reserved=0>
edwinellis1 at gmail.com <mailto:edwinellis1 at gmail.com>
(205) 394-5512


Dr. Ellis,

Thanks for coming by today to speak with us.  It's eye-opening to learn the harsh reality of our kids' reading abilities.  Unfortunately, we need to know this so we can get about the work of getting better.  

With this in mind, I did have a few questions.  Thank you for offering to look-into these things for us.  We're ready and willing to think and work outside the box to help our kids.
What non-traditional things are other middle schools doing as far as scheduling?  4x4, 6 periods, 7 periods, alternating block, no bells, etc?
How have administrators been able to successfully roll-out a complete paradigm shift (like the one we need) to faculty, students, and parents?
What are the things we absolutely have to do for our kids that are non-academic in nature (i.e. PE everyday)?
Much of my anxiety of how to make this work will be answered in question 1, because I think our people, armed with the right resources, will be willing to do what it takes to get our kids right.  

Thanks again! (Middle school assistant principal)



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