Even before the pandemic created havoc for students in this age group, those two words could revive uncomfortable memories.

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Liz Willen Dear reader,

Middle school. Even before the pandemic created havoc ([link removed]) for students in this age group, those two words could revive uncomfortable memories. If you’re still recovering from your time in middle school, teaching children in those grades, or worrying about what your own kids will face in the middle years, take a look at what science tells us ([link removed]) . What models for middle school work best? ([link removed]) How do we help young adolescents during this tough and tender age prepare academically, socially and for future careers?

As we continue exploring middle schools ([link removed]) here at The Hechinger Report, we want to hear from you. First take some time to read this week’s middle school package and tell us what you think. And while you’re at it, take a look at the future of school when districts go all in on what’s known as competency-based learning. ([link removed])

Also, in our higher-education work, we are finding widening gaps ([link removed]) in who earns college degrees, at a time when our economy demands more Black, Hispanic and Native American graduates. Finally, if you enjoy our work, a small favor: Please forward our free newsletter to a friend or colleague and encourage them to sign up. ([link removed]) (Reach out to Nichole Dobo at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you are having trouble signing up or receiving our newsletters in your inbox.)

Liz Willen, Editor
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Main Idea


** Can you fix middle school by getting rid of it? ([link removed])
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More districts are turning to K-8s, but the research is still murky, and financial considerations usually outweigh what’s best for kids.
Reading List


** Middle school’s moment: What the science tells us about improving the middle grades ([link removed])
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And why now’s the perfect time to overhaul the way we educate early adolescents.



** OPINION: Doubling Pell Grants makes sense — if Biden ditches the rest of his higher ed agenda ([link removed])
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Pell has kept pace with inflation; the cost of college has surpassed it.



** PROOF POINTS: When remedial education gets woven into class time ([link removed])
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Just-in-time review shows promise in one pandemic experiment.



** TEACHER VOICE: We’ll need a lot more than academics to help students recover from the pandemic ([link removed])
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Federal support is crucial for social and emotional learning, counseling, teacher leadership and diversity.



** Parents report declines in academic, social-emotional skills of young children ([link removed])
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Nearly 60 percent of parents say their 3- or 4-year-old’s academic development has been harmed by the pandemic.



** Does the future of schooling look like Candy Land? ([link removed])
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Emerging from the pandemic, districts look to expand personalized, competency-based education.



** Racial gaps in college degrees are widening, just when states need them to narrow ([link removed])
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Local economies can’t meet goals without more Black, Hispanic, Native American grads.



** City University of New York reverses its policy on withholding transcripts over unpaid bills ([link removed])
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Citing financial burdens from the pandemic, CUNY temporarily suspends a policy that prevented students from transferring or seeking jobs that require a transcript.

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Solutions
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