This excerpt from the Curriculum Associates’ whitepaper Rethinking Middle School Math Acceleration examines how middle school math acceleration programs can inadvertently hinder student learning and shares how one district analyzed and revised its acceleration program.

Grade 4 teacher Marcie Burlett, from Henderson County, NC, went above and beyond to create a positive classroom culture that resulted in well-rounded success throughout the pandemic. All of her students met their i-Ready goals, and, most importantly, they felt like they were part of a mutually supportive classroom community.

Kate Gasaway, a former middle school math teacher, reflects on the memories from teaching that have stayed with her. The most powerful memories are, to paraphrase Maya Angelou, the ones that made her feel.

The pandemic has led to higher percentages of students with unfinished learning and fewer students are on grade level in the 2020–2021 school year than in prior school years in both Reading and Mathematics.

Magnetic Reading writers and editors share their book recommendations in this culturally responsive summer reading list for middle school students. Titles include fiction and nonfiction, award winners, poetry, and graphic novels.