AMLE - Association for Middle Level Education
| Thank you to our members! You voted to approve the name change to the Association for Middle Level Education. Through the summer and fall of 2011, you will see additional information as we transition to our new name. |
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A name change for NMSA…
Association for Middle Level Education
We're about kids ages 10 to 15, not the name on the school. |
Our organization supports those who work with kids in grades 5–9, regardless of the grade configurations of the schools that house them. The new name, the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), reflects the terminology used in the education field, represents our current membership more accurately, and welcomes more educators to join.
This change in our association's name was approved by members in the Spring 2011 election and passed by an 80% vote, which is more than the 2/3 majority required for a constitutional change.
Why this name? …to better reflect who we are.
- We are an Association. Not only by definition, but by our ongoing efforts, we continue to be an organization of people with a common interest.
- Our membership reaches beyond the U.S.A. Our association includes members and affiliates in 58 countries.
- Middle Level Education is the commonly accepted education term. The term has been in use at the local, state, and federal levels for decades. Many of our affiliate organizations use this language in their organization names, and states and colleges have middle level education licensure programs.
School configurations vary from state to state and from district to district. School names also vary and the name "middle school" appearing on the outside of a building may not truly reflect the school's commitment to middle school philosophy (see This We Believe). AMLE supports all who work with young adolescents regardless of the school name or school configuration.
What does this mean for me? …to become a more powerful voice in directing the future of our profession. We have the same mission, and we will continue to serve the field of middle level education as we have for nearly 40 years. By changing our name to the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), we will be able to reach more educators and provide more opportunities for learning, for networking, and for making a difference for the young adolescents we serve.
Project 2010 - A Potential Name Change for NMSA