These resources are made available to you for the purpose of quick and easy dissemination of important information about middle level education. To view a document, click on the title. To return to this page, click the BACK button on your browser.

Essential Elements Information

Here are downloadable versions of information about the Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle Level Schools and Programs. Go to the Essential Elements wiki to contribute.

• Quick Guide to the Essential Elements
• Essential Elements Poster
• Essential Elements Rubrics Rating Sheet
• Rubrics for the Essential Elements
• Essential Elements Introduction PowerPoint
• Introductory Powerpoint Presentation
• Middle Level Intro, Including Elements Powerpoint Presentation
• Detailed Essential Elements Presentation
• The Essential Elements in a WORD Document
• The Essential Elements in a WORD Document - NUMBERED VERSION!
• Essential Elements Web-Based Tutorial
• Essential Elements Degrees of Implementation Scale (use it for self study)
• Rubrics for the Essential Elements
• Essential Elements Pamphlets  
• A Brief History of the Essential Elements
• The 2000 Research Linking Elements & Achievement
• The 2001 Research Linking Achievement (controlling for need/resource category)
• Research Presentation
• Worksheets for Individual Elements (Element details & rubric for that element)
  • Essential Element 1: Mission & Vision
  • Essential Element 2: Program
  • Essential Element 3: Organization & Structure
  • Essential Element 4: Instruction
  • Essential Element 5: Leadership
  • Essential Element 6: Network of Support
  • Essential Element 7: Professional Learning

Regents Policy Statement

Here is a downloadable version of the Board of Regents policy statement on middle level education. It describes what middle level programs should be like. It is policy!

• Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education 
• Report of the New Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education 
• Presentation from SED expressing ML Policy Implementation
• Middle-Level Education and Schools with Middle-Level Grades (archived, now replaced version)
• Research Supporting the New Regents Policy Statement

To support school districts and their schools with middle grades the SED has developed the Middle Level Indicators of Achievement Checklists.  These checklists of knowledge and skills assess the strengths and limitations of programs in the non-tested areas, to facilitate student achievement of the New York State Learning Standards. The SED recommends that administrators and instructional staff use the checklists to assess their instructional programs in the non-tested areas to determine strengths and alignment with the appropriate New York State Learning Standards.

• Introductory memo from SED 
• WORD format 
• .pdf format 

  Middle Level Leadership

• Leadership Essentials for the Essential Elements
• Standards-Focused Leadership Powerpoint Presentation
• NYS Survey of Middle Level Principals: 2001-2002 Report

New York State Middle Level Regulatory Information

 Here is downloadable information about the current statewide initiative for middle level reform. Each piece represents one piece of the effort, more or less in chronological order.

• Link to Three-Models Information and Application
• Three-Models Overview Presentation
• Get the new Policy Statement for Middle Level Education
• List of Middle Level Support Schools (February 2004))
• The NEW CR100.4 regulations for grades 5 - 8
   

NYSMSA Pamphlet Series

Each NYSMSA pamphlet is a succinct look at a particular dimension of the best practices in middle level education. They are easily reproducible and are meant to be shared. Permission for reproduction is granted as long as the individual pamphlet is reproduced in its entirety. Listed here is the series about each of the Essential Elements.  Click the first item in the list to view the complete pamphlet archive

• Link to Complete Pamphlet Series (beginning with 1994)
• An Introduction to Essential Element 1: Philosophy and Mission
• An Introduction to Essential Element 2: Educational Program
• An Introduction to Essential Element 3: Organization and Structure
• An Introduction to Essential Element 4: Classroom Instruction
• An Introduction to Essential Element 5: Educational Leadership
• An Introduction to Essential Element 6: A Network of Support
• An Introduction to Essential Element: Professional Learning

Middle Level Odds and Ends

Other relevant items you might find helpful or interesting.

• The 1926 Report on Junior High Schools (Funny? Interesting?)
• Another Old Junior High Text Excerpt
• Grade Configuration Trends at the Middle Level updated!
• Developing a Mission Statement for a Middle-Level School
• Tools for Schools Resource Guide (air date 1.8.02)
• Most Improved NYS Middle Schools in Math (and their practices)
• Guide to Middle Level Teacher Certification

Middle-Level Indicators of Achievement Checklists