Turning Points 2000 - Chapter 2: A Design for Improving MIddle Grades Education

First of all, this chapter is to explain the differences made from their original book to this one in their recommendations list. They recognize that things have changed and that they have learned more so they need to add and revise some of their original recommendations. This shows readers that change is inevitable in education and so ideas are going to expand and change as the years go on. The seven recommendations they offer in this book should be used together to insure success. Their recommendations focus a lot around the students and caring for and noticing them. Also they recognize that to get good results with any system that you have to keep going and working off the good results that are coming forth. The purpose for change needs to be kept in mind and everyone needs to focus until the end.

I think it is important to know that when dealing with a strategy for change like Turning Points that schools may just do it “half assed” as some may say. But in all reality a school needs to embrace these suggestions for change and go with it completely to get the best results possible, otherwise it is pointless to even try, because who wants “half assed” results. I really liked when the chapter mentioned that curriculum, assessment and instruction need to be thought of as one because you can’t change one without changing them all. Turning Points also recognizes that schools are not blank slate implementing their recommendations but that a foundation for the school already exists and their recommendations need to be based around this. Their recommendations seem to be very practical and are based around the students and their teachers. I agree that a middle school teacher should be an expert with young adolescents in order to be effective with them, and that caring for an noticing students is very important.