Our reluctance as a school district to make substantial changes in our educational system leaves a lot to be desired. We uphold an outdated model of education that isn 't nearly as effective as it could be. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that the K-12 system “largely still adheres to the century-old, industrial-age factory model of education.” Our middle school model is flawed at the core; adolescents are not engaged in the classroom and lack the social skills they need to thrive. The K-8 system consolidates elementary and middle school education; eliminating the need for students to transition between campuses. Converting to this K-8 model has the ability to improve student achievement through appealing to all students’ learning styles, and develop leadership qualities in students who otherwise depend on peers.
Student achievement drops dramatically as students transition from elementary school to middle school, and from middle school to high school. A study by Professor Martin R. …show more content…
Adolescents entering middle school question their identity and start to figure out where they fit on the totem pole. Middle school is such a bad memory for some, it’s almost cliche; the “middle school dance” is used as an expression for a very awkward moment. Teens are just starting to develop social skills, and during this period in their life, adolescents are susceptible to change. In a study called the Dominance Hierarchy in Groups of Early Adolescents, Williams states, “Early adolescence is when the peer group becomes most influential in the formation and establishment of self-concept. One’s status or position in the adolescent peer group is an important factor in a successful resolution of the developmental tasks of adolescence.” Hence, giving these students a role of leadership will not only positively impact themselves, but others around them as
Student achievement drops dramatically as students transition from elementary school to middle school, and from middle school to high school. A study by Professor Martin R. …show more content…
Adolescents entering middle school question their identity and start to figure out where they fit on the totem pole. Middle school is such a bad memory for some, it’s almost cliche; the “middle school dance” is used as an expression for a very awkward moment. Teens are just starting to develop social skills, and during this period in their life, adolescents are susceptible to change. In a study called the Dominance Hierarchy in Groups of Early Adolescents, Williams states, “Early adolescence is when the peer group becomes most influential in the formation and establishment of self-concept. One’s status or position in the adolescent peer group is an important factor in a successful resolution of the developmental tasks of adolescence.” Hence, giving these students a role of leadership will not only positively impact themselves, but others around them as