Middling through: Four Mendocino County middle schools

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated: 06/22/2009 12:00:04 AM PDT

The 2008-09 Grand Jury conducted an oversight review of the four middle schools of the Ukiah, Willits and Fort Bragg Unified School Districts. Jurors explored perceptions about the county's sixth to eighth graders, the pressures they face, and the extent to which middle schools are addressing common concerns. According to the report, confirmed concerns include widespread poverty and the number of youth who lack parental support for regular school attendance, positive health habits, and respectful, responsible behavior. Family involvement is low despite outreach efforts, stated the report.

According to the report, "school and community relationships vary from strong in Fort Bragg to almost non-existent in Willits." While students report use of alcohol and illegal drugs that exceeds state averages, incidents of substance abuse on school campuses are rare. Reported use of alcohol and marijuana by Willits seventh graders is triple the statewide average, stated the report.

Substance use reported by students at all four schools increases dramatically between seventh and ninth grades, underscoring the importance of timely interventions, the grand jury found.

"Despite external pressures and increasingly severe budget constraints, Jurors observed focused, student-centered teaching and lively informal interactions among students and staff. Campuses are welcoming, attractive, supportive and safe for students with a wide range of needs and abilities," stated the report.

Positive findings include the professionalism of personnel at all four sites and the support they receive from their districts and Mendocino County Office of Education, explained the report.

The state-mandated focus on math and English language arts (ELA) is supported by a companion emphasis on behavior that is consistently safe, respectful and responsible, said the jury.

Dress codes prohibit clothing that is provocative or that signals gang affiliation or drug use, noted the report. Preventing physical or verbal harassment is a high priority. At-risk students receive healthy meals and snacks free or at reduced cost and attend after school tutoring and enrichment programs, said the report.

In addition, the jurors found that annual test scores place all four schools near the mid-point relative to other California middle schools; all are subject to interventions to boost math and ELA proficiency. "District and county initiatives help staff track individual student performance and focus academic support. Jurors repeatedly heard middle school described with some urgency as a time of transition' and as a last chance' to gain basic skills required for independent learning and responsible adulthood."


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