National Organizations

• National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform    
  The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform is an alliance of over 60 educators, researchers, national associations, and officers of professional organizations and foundations committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents. This Alliance sponsors the Schools To Watch program information, criteria, applications, conference and school self-rating instrument at www.schoolstowatch.org .
• National Middle School Association    
  The only association whose focus is solely to ensure high quality education for 10-15 year olds, this membership organization offers the latest research, professional development, journals, webinars and other support materials to those who support middle level/young adolescents. Many materials available on the website are free.
  
  The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education has approved NSMA’s teacher preparation standards. Use the link to download/read those standards. http://www.nmsa.org/ProfessionalPreparation/NMSAStandards/tabid/374/Default.aspx
• Middle School Portal: Math & Science Pathways (MSP)2    
  The (MSP)2 is one of the National Science Digital Libraries funded by the National Science Foundation, The Ohio State University College of Education, National Middle School Association and Education Development Center. This virtual professional learning community provides opportunities to develop increased content knowledge in the areas of science, mathematics, technology and developmentally appropriate pedagogy. Here you can easily locate and identify exemplary, standards-based resources, increase your understanding of Web 2.0 tools, connect to teaching ideas and search by subject lists based on national math and science education standards.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals    
  The middle level link on the NASSP website is a resource for middle level administrators from the Knowledge Center which highlights case law, school improvement assistance, Middle Level Leadership opportunities and resources, and topics of interest, including transitions, teacher quality and the like. Breaking Ranks in the Middle is also highlighted, along with free, accessible self scoring rubrics.
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)    
  The NCTM website contains a Middle Level strand that includes curriculum, e-workshops, standards, preparing for tests and much more. Check out their support materials.
• The National Dropout Prevention Network    
  This organization’s mission is to increase high school graduation rates through research and evidence-based solutions, and to provide knowledge to increase opportunities for youth in at-risk situations to receive quality education and services.
• Asia Society    
  The Asia Society website is a rich source of information on what states and school districts are doing to address the importance of second languages and international standards in the classroom. The site also provides current up-to-date information about global classroom connections.
• America's Promise    
  Founded by General Colin Powell, America's Promise Alliance is comprised of corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, policymakers, advocacy groups, and faith groups. They are committed to seeing that children experience the fundamental resources they need to succeed—the Five Promises—at home, in school, and in the community. They believe that children's success is grounded in having caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to help others.
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)    
  ASCD is a membership organization that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead.
• The Alliance for Excellent Education    
  The Alliance’s FactSheet, March 2008, is a fascinating report for anyone who wonders where the US stands compared with other country’s 15 year olds, based on PISA’s rigorous assessment of like countries around the world. Do read and consider: “How Does the United States Stack Up? International Comparisons of Academic Achievement.”

State and Regional Organizations

• Oregon Middle Level Association    
  This site has information about professional development/conference opportunities, the Schools to Watch program, and, an updated list of schools with promising practices.
• Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA)    
  The Confederation of Oregon School Administrators provides a placement service for job seekers in the area of school administration in Oregon.
• Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory    
• Oregon Education Service Districts    
• California League of Middle Schools    

• Andrea Morgan     (503) 947-5772
  Teaching & Learning Team - Ed. Specialist, Social Sciences Curriculum and Advanced Placement Incentive Prog