Annual Report

2008 Annual Report

Dear NMSA Members:

As we move forward into a new year filled with opportunities and challenges that will surely bring about change, let's pause and reflect on the past year. National Middle School Association's commitment to making "success in the middle" a reality for young adolescents across the United States and the world was the focal point of our work in 2008.

Our new executive director, Dr. Betty Edwards, worked with staff, board, and affiliate leaders to advocate and collaborate for improvements in middle level education. Our affiliations with other organizations such as America's Promise Alliance, Learning First Alliance, National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, and Asia Society allowed us to share our message with an increasingly broader audience.

NMSA was a leading voice in the Middle Grades Coalition that worked to get Success in the Middle legislation introduced in both the Senate and House. This legislation seeks to provide significant funding focused on grades five through eight for school improvement; professional development; support for students; and the generation, dissemination, and application of research needed to identify and implement effective practices that lead to continual student learning and high academic achievement. Working alongside our affiliate organizations, NMSA advocated tirelessly for this and other legislation that will impact student achievement and success.

The variety and quality of resources and services offered by NMSA continued to expand during the past year. The annual conference in Denver was a showcase for technology and 21st century learning; a record number of educators attended the Middle Level Essentials conference in Minneapolis. In addition, NMSA continues to provide site-based school and district level professional development, and print and web-based delivery of the latest in middle level education research.

Although the 2008 economic downturn has presented NMSA with some challenges, rest assured that your Association's priority is young adolescents and those who serve them.

Regards,

Theresa Hinkle
2008 NMSA President