National Middle School Association - Helping You Achieve Successful Schools for Young Adolescents

Plan now to attend the largest and most comprehensive middle grades professional development opportunity in the world. Join more than 8,000 of your peers to share the most current knowledge, research, expertise, and ideas in middle level education. NMSA08 will be an experience that will take you above and beyond.

Taking Technology Above & Beyond in the Classroom
Bridging the digital divide and effectively integrating technology into curriculum and instruction are challenges that face all schools and educators. NMSA's 35th Annual Conference & Exhibit will feature effective uses of technology throughout the conference.

The 21st Century Classroom in the exhibit hall
Opening keynote session on technology
Tech Sandboxes throughout the Convention Center
More than 30 concurrent sessions on technology,
plus hundreds more

Quote of the Week

"Middle school marks the beginning of that long process that transforms your cuddling, temperate, enthusiastic child into a compassionate, well-rounded, energetic adult."
—Judith Baenan, H.E.L.P. How to Enjoy Living with a Preadolescent

News and Headlines

The Success in the Middle Act
The Success in the Middle bill (HR 3406 and S. 2227) has been introduced in the House and Senate. Read more and support this important legislation.

Middle school girls and literacy
The findings from this research point to the challenges that remain in framing classroom events such as literature discussion groups in ways that increase rather than dampen girls' growth as women and readers.

NMSA to consider name change
Read the Executive Director's Note from the August 2008 issue of Middle Ground.

Call for editor
NMSA is conducting a search for the editorship of Middle School Journal.

Call for presentations
NMSA is accepting presentation proposals for the Symposium on Middle Level Teacher Preparation in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 24-25, 2009. Deadline: September 30, 2008.

The role of school counselor in the middle grades
This new research summary illustrates how the school counselor role has evolved and the implications of contemporary research and best practices for developmentally responsive middle grades counseling.

Improving the lives of kids today
Join the America's Promise 15 in 5 Campaign Network for tools and information needed to help young people succeed.

Cell phones welcome in classrooms
Increasingly, universities are coming to the conclusion that cell phones are considered "as much a part of education as a bookbag." Some say cell phones help facilitate teacher-student interaction.

Service learning grants
State Farm's Youth Advisory Board has announced their annual RFP's for projects addressing driver safety, environmental responsibility, financial literacy, access to higher education, and disaster preparedness.

Assessment Manifesto (PDF)
Rick Stiggins of ETS Assessment Training Institute has written a white paper detailing the need for balanced assessment systems in America's schools if we are to succeed in our mission to help all students learn.

Accept the Learn and Serve Challenge
Join your peers from around the country for a concentrated week of special events and community outreach activities designed to raise awareness and build support for service-learning.

NMSA Podcast

Listen Online

Wikis in the Classroom
When Erica used wikis as the format for an annual social studies curriculum project, her students were engaged and learned.
Listen to previous episodes.

School Improvement

School Improvement Toolkit
A tested, research based comprehensive approach to school improvement.

Launch Toolkit Video

October 30 – November 1, 2008Colorado Convention Center • Denver, Colorado

October 30 – November 1, 2008
Colorado Convention Center • Denver, Colorado