School principals take on many roles in their day-to-day jobs, but one of the most important is setting the tone of the school. For Charles “Derrick” Lawson, principal of Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School in the Desert Sands Unified School District, a big part of his job of late is creating a positive atmosphere on campus. For his efforts he has been named ACSA's 2011 Middle Grades Principal of the Year.
ACSA’s Middle Grades Education Council has been actively involved in the development of an EdSource research brief focusing on Algebra 1 in the eighth grade. The free, easy-to-read two-page summary brief includes findings regarding the relationship between students’ prior math achievement, their math course placements in eighth grade, and their subsequent success.
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Middle Grades in the News.
Download a free copy of the summary brief.
Middle grades leaders are dedicated to ensuring young adolescents have the skills and resources needed to succeed in high school, post-secondary education, and life. Middle school students are at a unique crossroads – they are no longer young children, yet they are not yet teenagers – and therefore have their own academic, emotional and developmental challenges. Middle grades leaders strive for a smooth transition between elementary and high schools, and work closely with leaders at all levels to ensure their students are prepared for what lies ahead.
A vital element of ACSA's vision is to become increasingly influential and indispensable as the premier organization for educational leaders in California. Service on the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council is a high profile opportunity for members to be at the forefront of state wide leadership in advocacy, professional development, service, collaborative networking, and product development.