• A philosophy and mission that reflect the intellectual and developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents.
• An educational program that is comprehensive, challenging, purposeful, integrated, relevant, and standards-based.
• An organization and structure that support both academic excellence and personal development.
• Classroom instruction appropriate to the needs and characteristics of young adolescents provided by skilled and knowledgeable teachers.
• Strong educational leadership and a building administration that encourage, facilitate, and sustain involvement, participation, and leadership.
• A network of academic and personal support available for all students.
• Professional learning and staff development for all staff that are ongoing, planned, purposeful, and collaboratively developed.

To find about more about the Essential Elements, just click on the Middle Level Essentials button to the left. You'll find details, ready-to-use presentations, protocols for implementation, etc. Visit the Essential Elements wiki to join in a discussion.
 

 Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch
Click on the Schools-to-Watch button on the left for all you need to know about the Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch school recognition program.

 QUICK ACCESS TO STATE ED INFORMATION

There now is a middle-level site at NYSED that collects different information and links about education department initiatives. Just click!

 PROTOCOLS for USING THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

A set of three protocols have been developed to guide a school's use of the Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs. Taken together, the three protocols represent a comprehensive set of tools and guidance for beginning and sustaining a system of continuous reflection and improvement based upon the research-based Essential Elements and their rubrics. Each protocol can be used independently of the others. Click here to read more and to access the protocols.