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Texas Named
a Schools To Watch State
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 Austin, TX - Texas has been selected by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, to participate in the Schools-to-Watch (STW) Program.
The Schools to Watch designation presents a unique opportunity to showcase schools that have high levels of diversity and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence for all students served regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. High performing schools with these characteristics have had to overcome significant challenges to achieve quality and through this program their stories can be shared and their practices replicated in other schools across the state. The criteria which will be used in the process were developed by middle grades experts specifically for middle grades schools and represent the best thinking of what it takes to promote the healthy development, academic development and social development of young adolescents.
Key middle level organizations, including the Texas Middle School Association, have begun to work on a state level initiative modeled after the National Forum's national STW program.
Through this program, school officials will be encouraged to apply to the program, which will identify and recognize high performing middle level grades schools.
In turn, the schools selected will be used as demonstration sites for other schools to visit and observe to gain expertise in their own school reform efforts.
Information about the program will be shared during the upcoming Annual Conference and Exhibit of the Texas Middle School Association, March 4-6, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Plan to be on hand to learn what this exciting new opportunity offers educators in the state of Texas.
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