Featured Middle Grades Organization
California Middle Grades Partnership Network—
Linking Schools for Uncommon Commitment
In 1988, the California Middle Grades Partnership Network (CMGPN) was established, bringing together middle grades educators from 100 schools, each with an “uncommon commitment” to middle school reform. CMGPN is a collaborative, principal-to-principal and school-to-school network sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE). Local networks meet several times during the year to support, visit, mentor, and assist one another with issues and challenges specific to middle grades education and to improve student achievement.
Network participation is open to all middle grades educators at schools serving students in grades six through eight. Educators at all schools—urban, suburban, rural, small, large, high- or low-performing—are welcomed and encouraged to collaboratively participate and share their successes and challenges with one another.
CMGPN member benefits include information updates and briefings on:
- CDE activities and initiatives.
- State and federal mandates and legislation.
- Current research pertaining to the middle grades.
- Special state or federal projects.
- Grants or special funding opportunities.
Network members:
- Provide input on state middle school policy development.
- Share staff development plans and activities.
- Present successful networking management strategies.
- Discuss middle school issues, challenges, and solutions.
The network provides a rich pool of resources for relevant middle grades professional development.
CMGPN connects leaders across schools, districts, regions, and the state with the mission to support regional networks of middle grades leaders who are dedicated to sharing best practices where all students experience success and are prepared to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. The network provides middle grades leaders with peer support and information to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of young adolescents.
The purpose of CMGPN is to:
Implement the California Department of Education’s 12 Recommendations for Middle Grades Success.
- Provide opportunities for colleagues to help member schools become more effective places of learning.
- Share research and knowledge about young adolescents and their learning needs across school and district boundaries.
- Share successes and challenges of leading, managing, and operating a middle grades school.
- Establish a larger learning community that shares professional development resources and opportunities.
- Share best practices for implementing state and national reform initiatives and preparing students for the rigors of high school and beyond.
To learn more about CMGPN, visit California Middle Grades Partnership Network, For those interested in finding a local network meeting in their area, contact Marsha Robinson, Education Programs Consultant,
K-12 Innovation and Improvement Office, California Department of Education,
916-319-0352, mrobinson@cde.ca.gov.
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