jill spencer jillspencer51@gmail.com

Jill Spencerjillspencer51@gmail.com

Chris ToyChristoy.net@gmail.com

Webcast Takeaways• Introduction to Bright Futures• Overview of 12 Core Practices• Connections with national reports

Maine Middle Level EducationThree Decades of Advocacy

• Middle Level Commission formed

• MLTI launched

• Turning Points 2000

• NCLB passed

• CSR includes middle grades

• Bright Futures published

• Middle level endorsement

• Connections with NMSA This We Believe and Turning Points(1990)

• Connections with NELMS

• Maine middle grades schools adopt ML programs

1980s• Maine Association for

Middle Level Education founded

• First Middle Level Education Institute

• ML Task Force formed

• In The Middle (1988)

• Maine ML education emerges

1990s 2000s

Bright FuturesA Framework of 12 Core Practices For Maine Middle Grades Schools Developing full Academic, Personal, and Social Potential for Maine Young Adolescents

Based on the title, what might be some of its key recommendations?

Please respond in the chat box!

12 Core Practices For Effective Middle Grades Education

• 1-5: Learning and Teaching Practices in Maine’s Middle Level Schools

• 6-12: School Practices to Support Learning and Teaching in Maine’s Middle Level Schools

1. Accessible, relevant, challenging, and integrative curriculum

2. Effective research-based instructional practices3. Instructional practices anchored in 21st Century

literacies4. 1:1 learning technologies integrated throughout

the curriculum5. Learning process characterized by creativity and

innovation

Learning and Teaching Practices

Practices Supporting Learning & Teaching

6. Courageous, collaborative and democratic leadership

7. Safe, caring, inclusive climate

8. Organizational structures maximize sense of community, support meaningful relationships, and optimize curriculum delivery

9. Diverse and comprehensive co-curricular programs

Practices Supporting Learning & Teaching

10. Professional development models effective teaching and learning

11. Parents are actively involved as partners

12.Staff are knowledgeable about young adolescents and enjoy working with them

12 Core Practices Poll• Accessible relevant challenging

and integrative curriculum• Effective research based

instructional practices• Instructional practices

anchored in 21st century literacies

• 1:1 learning technology integrated throughout the curriculum

• Learning process characterized by creativity and innovation

• Courageous collaborative and democratic leadership

• Safe caring and inclusive climate• Organizational structures

maximize sense of community, support meaningful relationships, and optimize curriculum delivery

• Diverse and comprehensive co-curricular programs

• Professional development models effective teaching and learning

• Parents are partners• Staff are knowledgeable about

and enjoy working with young adolescents

Components of 12 Core Practices

• Rationale for Core Practice• Essential elements• Description of Core Practice in action• Practices that need to be phased out

The Larger Context

Success In The Middle

The Maine Scene

Future Webcasts• January 5, 2010

– Curriculum and instruction

• February 2, 2010– 21st Century literacies – Learning tecnologies

• March 2, 2010– Creativity and innovation– Courageous collaborative

democratic leadership

• April 6, 2010– Safe, caring and inclusive climate– Effective supportive structures

for adolescent learning

• May 4, 2010– Co-curricular programming– Professional development

• June 1, 2010– Parents as partners– The right staff

Some Questions with AnswersQ: Where can we get Bright Futures Posters?A: From Argy Nestor argy.nestor@maine.gov

Q: Where can I get the Bright Futures report?A: www.maine.gov/education/ml/ Q: How can I find out about Bright Futures events?A: www.maine.gov/education/ml/

www.mamleonline.orghttp://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=194020682571&ref=ts (Facebook)

Webcast Takeaways• Introduction to Bright Futures• Overview of 12 Core Practices• Connections with national

reports

Until January 5th…•What did you get from today’s

webcast?

•What do you need as a result of today’s webcast?