Middle School Task Force

The scope of work outlined for this task force includes the following: 

• The team will examine the effectiveness of our middle school model implementation to determine if it is meeting the mission, the intended outcomes, and the recommendations stated above for students, staff, and families as designed by the prior task force.

• The team will identify the existing strengths of the current model, based on the essential attributes and 18 characteristics currently defined by the Association for Middle Leveled Education (AMLE) including:

• Academics
• Activities
• Advisory
• Athletics
• Elective Wheel
• Math Pathway/Course Sequence
• Course Taking Patterns and Graduation Pathways
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• School Safety

• The team will engage in professional learning to gain knowledge of current research and relevant practices to middle school, racial and educational justice, inclusion, and instruction. The team will identify what gaps still exist and where there is misalignment, in the latter, using various considerations, including our NSD Strategic Action Plan and NSD Portrait of a Graduate.

• The team will work to determine what changes have taken place in the world and in education that should influence adjustments to our middle school philosophy and program model.

• The team will participate in analyzing data from various sources to inform decision making, including, but not limited to: course-taking patterns, attendance, discipline, iReady, Panorama, SBA, grade reports, LRE, participation, surveys, etc.

• The team will generate prioritized recommendations for each key category identified by the team, including a Middle School Implementation Plan.

• The team will ensure that success criteria are identified to engage in progress monitoring over several years to focus on continuous improvement.The team will propose prioritized recommendations to the Superintendent in the Winter of 2024 to submit to the Board of Directors in order to implement any necessary changes to the middle school model by February 2025, in preparation for initial implementation in the 2025-26 school year.

• Social Emotional Learning and Character Development

• Special Services: English Language, Academic Acceleration (AAP), Special Education and 504

• Transitions (From 5th grade; To 9th grade)

• Be seated in seats assigned for visitors and guests
• If you have comments or questions, they cannot be asked during the meeting. Please write your question or comments on an index card and turn into a Task Force facilitator. Include your name, email or phone number so that a facilitator can provide a response. 
• Please do not engage Task Force members during breaks.  
• Recording or taking photos during the Task Force can be distracting to the process and requires approval by all committee/task force members.
• Minutes will be posted within three working days of the meeting on the Task Force website.