Our school district has decided to eliminate all the middle schools and put seventh and eighth grade back into the elementary buildings. The school district says this is better for young adolescents. What do you think? -- Curious
Answer: Right now, eliminating middle schools is a popular trend in education, with many large school districts moving in this direction. Part of the reason for this is to move students away from large middle schools to smaller, more familiar and comfortable elementary schools. Even so, the most popular configuration remains K-5, 6-8, 9-12.
There is a real dearth of solid research on which grade configuration seems to work the best. Here is a list of some of the advantages students may receive from attending a K-8 school:
1. The students avoid the difficulties that so many children have in moving from elementary to middle school, and there is one less stressful transition between schools.
2. They also avoid the loss in achievement that students may have in the transition year between elementary and middle schools.
3. There is some very limited evidence that students in K-8 schools may slightly outperform their peers in middle schools.
4. Their parents will be more involved in their education because they already know the school and staff.
5. The teachers know the students better. This is especially helpful for at-risk students.
6. The teachers understand better the skills that teachers at the next grade level want.
7. Brothers and sisters will be in the same school for a longer period of time, letting older children take younger children to and from school.
8. There is less bullying.
9. The students participate in more extracurricular activities.