How to Raise Student Achievement Levels in Middle Schools
Middle school is a tumultuous time for many students. This rocky, transitional period can be a difficult time for students. As they move from the hand-holding help provided in elementary school to the incredibly independent learning expected of high school students, children often struggle to modify their learning style effectively. This struggle can lead to declining grades and poor academic effort. Through the addition to motivational activities and organizational help, middle school staff can effectively improve student achievement.
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Implement a universal organizational system. As students continue through school, organization becomes increasingly important. Lack of organization leads to poor work turn in and, by connection, declining grades. Help students develop the organizational skills that they will need by creating a universal system that all students within the school use to maintain an organized notebook. Check students' notebooks regularly to ensure that they are maintaining their organization.
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Foster the development of a school community. A feeling of isolation is common among middle school students. When students feel as if they are all alone in the world, they are much less likely to put effort into their school work. Help students overcome this feeling of isolation by creating a school community. Promote school spirit, as school pride allows students to feel as if they are part of a valuable community of people. Integrate teamwork into learning whenever possible, allowing students to work cooperatively towards a common goal.
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Select text with which students can relate. It is easier to get students to engage in learning if you are asking them to read something that they actually want to read. Whenever possible, allow students to read contemporary works of fiction and interesting factual pieces. This practice will show students that learning can be enjoyable and increase their intrinsic motivation to learn.
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Create competition. Allow students to participate in school or class wide competitions. The competitive format is engaging, and it give students an additional motivation to put effort into their work. Competitions can be large, such as grade point average competitions, or small, like a short story writing contest. Either way, the competition will effectively hold students' interest and cause them to put 100% into their school work.
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Point out successes. Gawky adolescents that populate middle school often develop the misconception that they are not good at anything. As students' self esteem flounders, this belief can lead to decreased academic effort. Help promote students' pride in a job well done by lavishing praise on students when they experience success. Encourage students to be proud of hard work and academic achievement so that they strive to achieve success again.
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