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1. www.ode.state.or.us/go/real OREGON THE DIPLOMA Moving Education Forward Educator Toolkit Administrator Toolkit Business & Community Toolkit Student & Counselor Toolkit MIDDLE LEVEL TOOLKIT Middle level matters because high school counts!

2. MIDDLE LEVEL TOOLKIT Middle level matters because high school counts!

3. Did you know? • 80% of 6th graders who fail in one of four areas have less than an 80% chance of graduating high school? Do you know what those four are? • 50% of all 8th graders who drop out fail mathematics, English or attend less than 80% of the time. • Failing to succeed in middle grades is a major risk factor for involvement with the juvenile justice system and teenage pregnancy.

4. Did you know? • Middle level teachers with common planning times had the highest levels of effective team and classroom practices? • Research reports a combination of academic focus and supportive relationships fosters higher achievement? • What happens at the middle level significantly impacts high school graduation rates. • Find the answers at: www.ode.state.or.us/go/real

5. Middle Level Practices Matter! Let us help you find:  A short video on adolescent development.  Research that supports common planning time as one factor in academic achievement.  The latest in integrating technological tools to engage students.  Structures to support positive behavior.  Examples of Personalized Education Plan (PEP).  Standards, assessments, and best practices for math.  The four defining Schools to Watch strands that make up a school’s self assessment rubric.

6. Academic Excellence - Developmental Responsiveness - Social Equity - Organizational Support and Process

7. “Building blocks to high performing middle schools, necessary for student success through high school and beyond.” - Dr. Robert Balfanz, Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

8. “Resources developed to ensure successful implementation of the new diploma.” - Dr. Robert Balfanz, Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

9. Links on the website: Elementary Education  Connect to elementary links Middle Level Framework  Philosophical framework for educating Oregon's 10-15 year olds Middle Level & the Oregon Diploma  Preparing 8th graders to meet higher standards for Oregon's high school diploma Diploma Requirements  Connect to high school links K-12 Standards  What's essential for 6th, 7th & 8th graders to be as successful as 9th graders and throughout high school

10. Links on the website: Essential Skills  Standards and rubrics to guide planning Personal Learning  Personalized Education Plan (PEP) used in middle schools across Oregon Tools and Resources  Links to research, resources, and services that support middle level educators and learners Organizations Supporting Middle Level  National, regional, and state organizations and associations

11. Organizations Supporting ML National Middle School Association www.nmsa.org Oregon Diploma http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/diploma/ Oregon Middle Level Association www.omla.net Schools To Watch www.schoolstowatch.org The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics www.nctm.org

12. Special Thanks To… Chris Brantley, OMLA Jan Burgess, NMSA Colin Cameron, COSA Micki Caskey, PSU Suzanne Dalton, COSA Jane Evans, North Albany MS Phyllis Gile, ODE Michelle Hooper, ODE Sue Hukari, Hood River MS Noel Hygelund, Carus Elementary Jana Iverson, Nyssa MS Carol Larson, Willamette ESD Pete Lorain, OMLA/NMSA Jill O’Neill, Meadow Park MS Steve Nelson, Leslie MS Sue Parton, ODE Bill Rhoades, Bend LaPine SD 1 Joe Sebastian, Akerman MS Debbie Sembar-Renard, Willamette University Derrick Sullivan, COSA Amy Tiger, McLoughlin MS