Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint:School Edition

About the Middle School Matters Institute

The Middle School Matters Institute (MSMI) is an initiative of the George W. Bush Institute in partnership with The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin. MSMI develops and disseminates resources that increase access to research on and proven practical strategies for middle school improvement. The goal of MSMI is to increase the number of students well prepared for high school and postsecondary success.

More information about MSMI is available on the MSMI website.

More information about the Middle School Matters program is available on the George W. Bush Institutewebsite.

About This Document

This document functions much like an architectural blueprint. A blueprint outlines critical components one must include and steps one must take to construct a sound structure—for example, where to place the walls. But a blueprint does not specify what color to paint those walls. Similarly, this blueprint outlines essential components for implementing research-based practices, but the exact action steps and timelines required depend on the unique contextual factors of each school.

The following visualization of the MSMI Implementation Blueprint emphasizes the importance of ongoing support and coaching, showing that schools may request support from MSMI at any point in the process. Interested schools, districts, or states can visit the Our Support page of our website to learn more about the free support options to enhance implementation of research- and evidence-based practices, improve student outcomes, and prepare students for successful high school and postsecondary experiences.

This document is organized by critical implementation stage. For each stage, the first columnincludes a description. Listed in the second column are links to relevant MSMI-developed resources that assist educators with implementing the research-based principles and practices described in the Middle School Matters Research Platform and Field Guide. The third column contains “professional wisdom” from practitioners who have participated in the Middle School Matters program—practical information relevant to educators implementing research-based practices. The last column provides space for schools to list major action steps and deadlines to complete the objectives within each stage.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 1: Assess Readiness
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
Complete the Middle School Matters School Readiness Assessment to understand your readiness for implementing the research-based principles and practices in the Middle School Matters Field Guide. Upon completion, users receive helpful guidance. / Middle School Matters School Readiness Assessment /
  • Engage your leadership team in the assessment process to ensure that all viewpoints are considered and incorporated into assessment responses.
  • Use the assessment to identify strengths and needs and to set goals.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 2: Review Research
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
Review the Middle School Matters Field Guide, which identifies the most current research-based principles and practices in 13 areas (content dimensions) to inform the work of schools that serve students in the middle grades. /
  • Middle School Matters Field Guide
  • Middle School Matters Research Platform at a Glance
  • Middle School Matters Practice Guides
  • Standards Alignment to the Middle School Matters Field Guide
/
  • Focus on content dimensions in which your data and/or readiness assessment indicate that students or staff members have particular challenges.
  • Carefully review the principles and practices, which offer specific, concrete areas of focus and action.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 3: Plan
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
(a) Establish a Middle School Matters school leadership team. These key players can guide the implementation of the research-based principles and practices. / Who to Involve Checklist
(coming soon) /
  • Include a representative sample of content areas and grade levels.
  • Align this team with your campus’ response to intervention, problem solving, and data teams.

(b) Achieve staff buy-in. Inform staff members about Middle School Matters, including the practices in the Middle School Matters Field Guide and the supporting research base. /
  • Middle School Matters Research Platform at a Glance
  • Middle School Matters Practice Guides
  • MSMI bookmark
  • Middle School Matters Clearinghouse brochure
/
  • Ask staff for input on school needs and strengths and how research-based practices could support positive change.
  • Provide staff members with MSMI materials.
  • Align with campus improvement plan and other initiatives.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 3: Plan (cont.)
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
(c) Develop implementation plans. Identify areas of need, according to your data and readiness assessment, and decide which content dimensions to focus on. Complete one Implementation Plan Template per content dimension. / MSMI Implementation and Action Plan Templates /
  • Focus on no more than three content dimensions during the first year of implementation.
  • Blog:
    Strategic Planning for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in the Middle Grades

(d) Find resources to support implementation.
Many practical tools, research summaries, professional development modules, and practice guides can be found in the Middle School Matters Clearinghouse. / Middle School Matters Clearinghouse / Divide and conquer: Delegate team members to search for resources that align with each implementation plan.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 4: Implement
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
(a) Begin implementing your plans and consult with your MSMI Tier I contact for more information or assistance at any point along the way. / Tier I Support Request Form / Use the plans to inform decisions, planning, and delegation of tasks.
(b) Review the Middle Grades Research Digest for implementation tips from researchers and practitioners. / Middle Grades Research Digest / Share the blog and its unique insights.
(c) Conduct ongoing professional development and coaching to help educators grow and implement the research-based practices. /
  • MSMI Webinars
  • Summer Conference materials
  • Professional development modules in Middle School Matters Clearinghouse
/ Blog:
Designing and Delivering Effective Professional Development

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 5: Monitor and Reflect
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
(a) Review implementation plans and reflect on progress during regular school leadership team meetings. / School’s existing implementation plans / Use the implementation plans to reassess needs.
(b) Monitor and
measure fidelity of implementation of instructional practices. / Fidelity of Implementation Frameworks
(coming soon) / Fidelity is vital to successful implementation. Without it, one cannot accurately identify the needs of struggling students.

Middle School Matters Implementation Blueprint: School Edition

Implementation Stage 6: Refine
Description / Resources Available / Professional Wisdom / Major Action Steps and Deadlines
(a) Adjust and refine implementation plans as needed. / School’s existing implementation plans / Consider these plans to be “living documents” that grow and evolve with the needs of a campus.
(b) Apply for MSMI Tier II support to enhance implementation of research-based practices. Each year, eight schools from across the nation are selected to attend the MSMI Summer Conference in Austin, Texas, and receive targeted support from MSMI staff members and national experts. / Tier II Support page

1

Middle School Matters Institute, 2014

An initiative of the George W. Bush Institute in partnership with The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk