What Works to Improve Student Achievement in the Middle Grades: A Making Middle Grades Work Research Report

By Sondra Cooney and Gene Bottoms

In 1997 SREB launched a comprehensive middle grades improvement effort, Making Middle Grades Work. This research report examines the design and implementation of this comprehensive improvement effort in 52 middle grades schools in 16 states. The study addresses four basic questions: 1) Is student achievement higher for eighth-graders in the network than for other eighth-graders? 2) Why do schools with similar demographics perform differently? 3) Why is achievement higher for students in schools that have implemented the design more fully? 4) What can states, districts and schools do to improve middle grades achievement? The report includes a summary of findings and recommendations for states, districts and schools.

Keywords: numeracy experiences, literacy experiences, high school readiness, transition

(03V64); 36 pages; 2003; $5 each/$2.50 each for 10 or more

Goal that it reflects: Achievement in the middle grades for all groups of students exceeds national averages and performance gaps are closed.

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