Does the _average_ kid need more from us? Well maybe. A recent article did a lot to get us thinking. A high school teacher in Maryland thought the kids in the middle were "slipping through the cracks" and not getting the attention they needed to build on their skills. As reported by the Washington Post, Abbey Schneider got together with other teachers at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda to launch the EXCEL program, offering more personalized attention to 145 students academically right in the middle of the freshman class.

Here's what's really interesting: responses and reactions came in fast. Nobody wanted to be average. No parents wanted their kids to be average. One administrator was quoted as saying, "All the ads tell us we should be above average. 'Excellence' is probably the most overused word in the English language, certainly in the public schools". Advanced Placement classes are small. Special Education classes are small. But in the middle? No funds were available. Forget it.

Schneider was able to get buy-in to try a reorganization, working with existing resources. She was able to assemble a team of teachers who agreed to change their routine so they could have the same planning period. Schedule flexibility was achieved, allowing core courses to run for 45 minutes or 90 minutes. Students academically in the middle of the freshman class were invited to sign up to try the new program, with the option of receiving honors credit. 145 students chose to sign up. A curriculum was formulated for them consisting of Algebra I, a class called Matter & Energy, English, U.S. History, a class called College Prep Literacy, and two electives. Class size is held closer to 20 than the usual 30. So far, it is being accepted by students, parents, teachers, and administrators with enthusiasm and real results.

StudyBuddy was inspired to look around for something similar in the Bay Area. We haven't found one so far, but that doesn't mean it's not out there. If you know of a similar program here, please tell us about it.

We do consistently hear great things from our students and parents about the local middle-school summer program Aim High. Students return after their first summer and become mentors to other students, and that's a very important part of building their confidence.

We've learned recently of two projects sponsored jointly by the school district and City College Southeast Campus: Discover College and Community Scholars of Success. We're on the trail of more information about these and would love to hear from you please.