Middle Grades

Taking Center Stage

Taking Center Stage—Act II (TCSII): Ensuring Success and Closing the Achievement Gap for All of California’s Middle Grades Students is now available on the TCSII Web portal! See CDE Press Release.

Taking Center Stage-Act II (TCSII) Recommendations
These recommendations are the basis of TCSII, a hardcopy and electronic resource for middle level educators. When coherently implemented by schools, these recommendations will raise student achievement in the middle grades.

Taking Center Stage
2001 publication designed to help California's educators implement standards-based education for middle grades students.

Middle Grades Information

California Schools to Watch™–Taking Center Stage (STW™–TCS)
The 2010 STW™–TCS application process will begin in April 2009. Each year, a few middle schools are identified as high performing models that demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness (responsive to the needs and interests of young adolescents), social equity, and strong organizational support and processes.

California Middle Grades At a Glance 2007-08 (Published 25-April-2008; DOC; 6MB; 4pp)
A compilation of statistical data relating to middle grades education in California, including information on middle grades school configuration, enrollment, algebra achievement, English-language learners, health, safety, and socioeconomic status.

MidNet
Mailing List Sign Up: Receive monthly updates from the Middle Grades Improvement Office regarding middle level education.

Middle Grades Courses of Study and Instructional Time (Dated 19-Sept-2007; DOC; 106KB; 8pp)
Based on California Education Code requirements, California Department of Education recommendations and National Subject-Area Associations' recommendations.

California Middle Grades Partnership Network (CMGPN)
Collaborative, principal-to-principal, and school-to-school network of middle schools focused on improving student achievement and implementing the 12 recommendations of TCSII. Urban, suburban, rural, small, large, and low-performing to high-performing schools are welcome to participate. Members support, learn from, and mentor each other. CMGPN brochure | PDF (Dated 12-Dec-2006; 1MB; 2pp.)
CA Middle Grades Partnership Network Coordinators Chart

California Distinguished Schools Visitor's Guide
Profiles of 2005 Distinguished Middle Schools that welcome visitors.

Content Standards for Middle Grades
These standards are adopted by the California State Board of Education for English-language arts, mathematics, history-social science, science, and the visual and performing arts.

Middle Grades Spotlight
A best practice periodical produced by the Middle Grades Improvement Office.

Middle Grades Resources
Web sites that may be of interest to Middle Grade Educators, Parents and Policy Makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

• General
  From parents, educators, and school boards on middle grades education.
• Algebra Offered in the Middle Grades
  From parents and educators.