An Evolutionary Journey: The Case Study of East Muskingum Middle School. Transforming Learning Communities.

This book is part of a series of case studies that demonstrate better ways to educate Ohio's students. The case study is part of the Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) Project, designed to support significant school-reform efforts among Ohio's elementary, middle, and high schools. This report describes the implementation of an innovative program at a middle school in eastern Ohio. The case-study team consisted of three school staff members and three college professors; data sources consisted of interviews, focus groups, teacher journals, surveys, and classroom observations. The text presents the history of the school and its situation in the community. It focuses on collaborative efforts, emphasizing the conversations taking place among teachers, students, the principal, and the community and describes the efforts to build collaborative structures within and outside the school. It also looks at the principal's role in developing collaboration and change. The book examines the role of inquiry at the school, especially as it relates to venture-capital assessment and professional development, and promotes the need to reflect on processes during periods of change. The report explores the reaction to innovation and the forces that have institutionalized the change process. The last chapter reflects on the changes and the future. The appendix describes the project methodology. (Contains 15 references.) (RJM)