The Historical Development Of Hoyt Middle School In Des Moines, Iowa In Terms Of Curriculum Programming

Abstract

The problem. The problem was to trace and analyze the development of Hoyt Middle School since it first opened in the 1972-73 school year. The development of such a school is significant to traditional educators because it is a change from the traditional junior high to a middle school organization. This change in organization could provide a more meaningful program for the pre-adolescent. Procedure. Problem solving was to be accomplished through the identification of the purposes for the development of Hoyt and then show how through the planning, design and implementation stages these purposes were achieved or not achieved. Conclusions. The identification of the purposes for Hoyt Middle School are identified in this field report. The evaluation process that was initiated by the Hoyt staff indicates that some of these purposes were achieved and others were not achieved. Hoyt Middle School dealt with: setting up guidelines, writing a philosophy, stating team goals and implementing them, determining initial organizational plans and modifying them. These activities were achieved but they were limited in scope. There is a need to increase the emphasis on evaluation of team and individual performance, and to include follow-up activities which are directed toward improving instruction where the evaluation indicates a need. A plan was set up for the evaluation of cognitive development in the basic skills. However, the evaluation plan does not cover the student progress in the affective domain, other than personal opinion.