Breaking Ranks in the Middle: Strategies for Leading Middle Level Reform

This book should serve as the definitive reference for educators on the middle school level. Also, it should be a mandatory text in any secondary education graduate program wishing to make a positive impact on the field of education. Breaking Ranks in the Middle sets the gold standard on how to bring middle school education into the twenty-first century. Too often the question heard is "what is wrong with young people today?" when the question should be "why are we not connecting with our students?". As a result of trying to fit the children of this decade into the teaching format of the 1950's (or earlier), there is a chance that our nation will slip even farther in the achievement rankings of industrialized nations. Specific recommendations are presented in three broad clusters: leadership; school environment, and; making learning personal. Examples of schools which are implementing these changes are provided. The appendices provide checklists and a discussion guide which can be applied immediately in any middle school. CAUTION: Not suited for educators who have laminated lesson plans! Reading of this book may cause a dramatic change in the way one approaches the teaching profession.