LAST BEST CHANCE

FORMATION OF THE NC MIDDLE GRADES TASK FORCE

With the passage of more than a decade and the numerous educational changes mentioned previously, several disturbing factors began to elevate concerns about middle level students in North Carolina. (See Appendix D) Disappointing achievement data at the sixth grade indicated drops in performance for these students and prompted continuing concerns about reading and writing performance in all middle school grades. The problems of recruiting and retaining teachers at this level were also gaining attention. These were just a few variables among others that began to raise concerns. John Harrison, Executive Director, and the officers of the North Carolina Middle School Association, met with Mike Ward, State Superintendent, to express their interest and support for a joint initiative to improve middle grades education. In 2002, key leaders in the Division of Instructional Services at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction offered their leadership in convening a second statewide task force that could offer recommendations for improvement in the context of middle level education. With the support of the State Superintendent, June Atkinson and Wandra Polk from the Department of Public Instruction, John Harrison and Nancy Farmer, a former co-chair of the first task force, were asked to provide leadership to this effort.

Twenty-nine of North Carolina's education leaders in public schools, universities and colleges, state Parent Teacher Association, business organizations, and the North Carolina Middle School Association, in addition to Department of Public Instruction staff, were selected for membership on this task force. Their work, strengthened by significant focus-group input from across the state, produced Last Best Chance 2004: Educating Young Adolescents in the 21st Century. This document provides an updated and valuable framework for how to improve middle grades education in North Carolina. Yet it is only the beginning. Future action plans are needed to provide much more “flesh on the bone” to guide practitioners in their efforts to implement the recommendations. The journey continues!

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