NYT Middle School Article

The middle school debate is basically the concept of getting rid of middle schools completely and creating either just a K-8 school or a 6-12 school. The argument for getting rid of the middle school completely is that it is already a traumatic time for kids that age and they do not need another change. Also, that they can excell in an environment with older kids especially in sports. Another argument is that if the kids are in the K-8 school it is more of a comfort zone for them. The argument against this is that reconfiguration is costly and is not really taking into consideration what kids really need. Adolescents really need smaller class sizes, an engaging curriculum, personalized attention, and well-perpared teachers.

Personally I do not believe in this at all. It is not the correct solution for the middle school program. Middle school children need more attention which does not help to blend them into an even large crowd. Middle school in miserable for everyone, it is an awkward time but it is best for them to be all together going through it together. I do not believe keeping them in the "comfort zone" of elementary school will help them at all with the changes they are going through nor the real world. I do not believe that putting them in with high schoolers is a good idea because high school is terrifying enough for a freshman let alone dealing with 18 year olds when you are only 12. If I did become a teacher of these grade levels it would impact me in I was in a K-8 school because it would put me in a completely different environment than what I have been trained to be in. Being in the 6-12 school would not be that different but I think it would take away from the middle school experience. Middle school kids deserve their own attention and I believe the best way to do this is to have their own transition school. This age is a transition and it should be recognized and treated as one.