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**Essential Elements**
Welcome to a new wiki intended to be a source of networking about the NYS //Essential Elements of Standards Focused Middle Level Schools and Programs//. There are seven //Essential Elements//, by the way:
 * 1) A philosophy and mission that reflect the intellectual and developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents.
 * 2) An educational program that is comprehensive, challenging, purposeful, integrated, relevant, and standards-based.
 * 3) An organization and structure that support both academic excellence and personal development.
 * 4) Classroom instruction appropriate to the needs and characteristics of young adolescents provided by skilled and knowledgeable teachers.
 * 5) Strong educational leadership and a building administration that encourage, facilitate, and sustain involvement, participation, and leadership.
 * 6) A network of academic and personal support available for all students.
 * 7) Professional learning and staff development for all staff that are ongoing, planned, purposeful, and collaboratively developed.

There is, of course, more to them. You can find the details at [|www.nysmsa.org], or [|here they are].

In July of 2003 the New York State Board of Regents issued its [|policy statement on middle level education]. The statement declared that the New York State Education Department’s seven //Essential Elements// **must be in place** in standards-focused schools with middle-level grades in New York State.

Additionally, the [|Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (part 100.4)] now require school districts in New York State to ensure that their middle-level program is aligned with the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education and the State Education Department’s //Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs//.


 * Does your school meet the State’s expectation declared in its policy and regulations****?** One way to know how well your school is implementing the //Essential Elements// is by [|using the rubrics] that accompany them. The rubrics go along with each of the //Essential Elements// and you can conduct a self-evaluation with them. Another great way to asses your school's implementation of the //Essential Elements// is through the [|Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Recognition Program]. Here you will find information not only on New York State's //Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch// Recognition Program but also on the [|National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform] and its national Schools-to-Watch program.