The Board of Trustees approved the Middle Level Education Plan Beliefs, Mission, Objectives, Parameters and Strategies on June 2, 2008. This summer all middle school administrators will gather to review the Middle Level Education Plan and develop mutual commitments and expectations to ensure effective implementation. The conversation will continue in July, as each campus will bring ten campus leaders to review the Middle Level Education Plan and align it to the Campus Improvement Plan.

We are appreciative of the hundreds of parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and support staff that have dedicated their time in the development of the Middle Level Education Plan. The dedication and commitment to this endeavor is appreciated.

Mission - Our Loftiest Aspiration

The mission of middle level education is to ensure all students demonstrate high academic achievement and develop confidence and character to succeed in high school and beyond.

This is accomplished by:

• Engaging students in rigorous, relevant, world class curriculum and instruction,
• Fostering meaningful relationships,
• Encouraging respect and appreciation of diversity,
• Promoting civic engagement, and
• Supporting students' intellectual, physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Beliefs

We believe that:

• Every individual has inherent worth.
• All children can learn.
• High expectations and aspirations are essential to maximize individual potential.
• Effort, support, and opportunity are necessary to excel.
• Everyone wants to experience success.
• Success builds self-esteem, which provides the foundation for further success.
• Family support is critical to a child's success.
• Open, honest communication is fundamental for building trusting relationships.
• People are responsible for their own choices and actions.
• People thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
• Quality public education is essential for democracy to thrive.
• Diversity enriches our community.

Objectives

• All middle schools will achieve Recognized or Exemplary ratings in the State accountability system in the next five years.
• All middle schools will reduce the academic achievement gaps in Math and Science by at least 50% within the next five years.
• All middle school students will develop and consistently demonstrate the confidence and character necessary to be respectful, responsible, contributing members of their community.
• All middle school students will actively participate in projects and activities that encourage them to constructively explore and discover their talents, interests, and aspirations and further education and/or careers.
• All middle school students will successfully transition to high school on time and prepared for success.

Strategies

1. We will develop, recruit, support, retain, and recognize high quality principals, teachers, and staff at every middle school to ensure that every student has a quality education.
2. We will implement a rigorous, relevant, world class curriculum and strategically organize professional development so that teachers and staff are prepared to consistently apply best instructional and assessment practices.
3. We will develop a comprehensive plan in partnership with outside resources and agencies to support the needs of students and families in order to increase student attendance, family involvement and reduce barriers to learning.
4. We will promote healthy life styles and safe learning environments at every middle school to ensure that students are fit, healthy, and ready to learn.
5. We will integrate, model, reinforce and assess the character attributes established in the AISD character education curriculum.
6. We will design middle level learning environments that foster relationships and smaller learning communities addressing issues such as facility use, staff organization, career exploration, and project-based learning.
7. We will identify and implement effective academic support and interventions for under achieving students.
8. We will create and implement effective transition programs for students entering and exiting middle school.