RiMGP+Plan

=Bache Re-Imagining the Middle Grades Project=

Proposed Process
Although there is obvious overlap, and Bache-Martin middle grades teachers will certainly continue with real world learning training and instructional design, the Middle Grades Institute is proposed as a separate initiative within the grant activities.

Further, it is important to recognize that effective middle grades programs are made up of multiple strategies that must be implemented together – implementing them individually does not show significant benefits. With such a complex system, successful implementation will require careful, patient study before design work, and careful planning before implementation. Rushing too quickly to a plan or to implementation runs the risk of missing or misunderstanding important components

Therefore, it is recommended that the Middle Grades Institute be divided into three distinct phases: the Study Group; the Redesign Plan; and the Implementation.

Phase I: Study Group
The Study Group Phase will be an intensive exploration of what goes into a premier middle grades program. This phase will be guided by three essential questions:
 * What are the components and characteristics of effective middle grades programs base on the developmental needs of young adolescents?
 * What student characteristics, qualifications, and achievements are the best high schools in the district expecting, and how are the top sending middle schools achieving those?
 * What is the Bache-Martin shared vision for our middle grades students?

Phase I activities might include the following:
 * Become familiar with the developmental characteristics of young adolescents
 * Become familiar with the components and characteristics of effective middle grades programs
 * Develop a shared vision for our students
 * Visit exemplary middle grades programs to see how they implement these components
 * Attend conferences and workshops related to effective middle grades practices
 * Interview SDP educators about preparing middle grades students for the best high schools

Any ideas for the Design Plan or for the Implementation can be posted on a “Parking Lot” bulletin board in the Middle Grades "Imaginarium” (in Room 19) to be saved and remembered for the appropriate phase.

Phase II: Redesign Plan
At this point the teachers would be facilitated through a process to reimagine the middle grades program, in a way that will work for Bache-Martin and its staff, consistent with what was learned from the Study Group. This phase will be guided by the essential question, what will the Bache Middle Grades Academy program and organization be?

The culmination of this phase will be the Implementation Plan, including a list of steps or tasks, who is responsible for each, and a timeline for accomplishing each.

Phase III: Implementation
This is where we put the plan into action.