Wakulla Middle School Cited as Exemplary in Florida

Educators are concerned that the components of effective middle school programs have begun to disappear in Florida middle schools.  Many believe an increased focus on testing and accountability programs and a decreased focus on developmentally appropriate programs is responsible for this decline.  

A recently released report on “The Status of Programs in Florida Middle Schools” focused on this concern.  However, the report cited two Florida schools as examples of the few middle schools that have not followed this pattern.  One of those two schools was Wakulla Middle School!

Wakulla Middle School Principal JoAnne Daniels and David Miller , Superintendent of Wakulla County Schools (pictured), are pleased that their program was recognized as being one that has been able to maintain a balance between academic accountability and developmental responsiveness.  Over the years they have been able to succeed academically without giving up the essential components of an effective middle school program.

{sidebar id=1}According to the report, which was based on a recent survey supported by the University of Florida, the Florida League of Middle Schools and the Helios Education Foundation, these essential components include “interdisciplinary team organization, advisory programs, curriculum enrichment and exploratory programs, flexible scheduling, heterogeneous grouping, and intramurals.”  These are critical for the education of young adolescents, and in most middle schools they are being offered much less frequently than in the past. 
Fortunately for the students of Wakulla County, that is not the case.  Over the years they have frequently received an “A” grade, while they have remained committed to small teams, advisory, heterogeneous groups, integrated curriculum, flexible scheduling and the other components of high quality middle schools.

As the report noted, “it is possible for Florida middle schools to be both accountable and developmentally appropriate.”  Wakulla Middle School is a shining example.

Congratulations to Mr. Miller, Ms. Daniels, and the entire faculty, staff and students of Wakulla Middle School!

This article originally published on October 28, 2008.

Click here to discuss this information in our Online Discussion Forums.

Per Wakulla.com policy, all reader comments (submitted below) must include a valid first and last name.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to post a comment.