THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES
THE DESIGNATION OF THE
2008 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: SCHOOLS TO WATCH

The State Education Department is pleased to announce the designation of

Pioneer Middle School
Yorkshire, NY

and

Islip Middle School
Islip, NY

as the newest
Essential Elements: Schools to Watch.

Each of these school communities has undergone a rigorous application process and was visited by a team of Middle Level practitioners in January of this year.  The team gathered evidence that points to these two schools as being exemplary models of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity.  Each school also has an organization and structure that will lead them on a continued path for future success.

Schools to Watch is a national program administered by participating states in collaboration with the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.  The program is twofold in that it is both a recognition program and a vehicle to direct a school in their improvement efforts.  It is specifically for schools containing middle grades.   New York State joined the Schools to Watch program in 2005.  Since that time, New York has recognized a total of ten middle level schools as Essential Elements: Schools to Watch.  These schools are recognized for their excellence in meeting the four criteria of the National Forum’s program as well as for their focus on the Essential Elements of a Standards Focused Middle Level Program as outlined in the Regents Policy Statement on Middle Level Education.

Schools selected for the Essential Elements: Schools to Watch designation will receive national and state recognition and an opportunity to help shape the future of middle level education in the state.  Professional development opportunities and coaching towards continued success will be directed toward recognized schools.

Eligible schools interested in New York’s Essential Elements: Schools to Watch Recognition Program are invited to view and download the application announcement and related information at www.nysmsa.org. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, October 3, 2008.   

The State Education Department has many partners in this undertaking.  Partners include the New York State Middle School Association, The Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons, New York State United Teachers, the New York State Association of Teacher Educators, the New York Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, and the New York City Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. 

Questions about New York State’s Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Recognition Program should be directed to Marybeth Casey, Associate in Middle Level Education and a member of the EE: STW State Leadership Team.  You can either telephone Mrs. Casey at (518) 474-0059 or e-mail her at mcasey2@mail.nysed.gov.

The Regents Policy Statement and implementation strategy, as adopted, are online at http://www.regents.nysed.gov/2005Meetings/February2005/0205emscvesida1.htm.  More about the New York State schools selected as Essential Elements: Schools to Watch can be found online at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mle/middlenews.html.