AMLE/HIDOE Hawaii Middle Grades Summit

February 7, 2025
Hawaii Convention Center

Offered in partnership with the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE), please join the Hawaii Department of Education’s (HIDOE) Middle Level Program for an empowering, professional summit! We’ll explore best practices for middle level education and work toward a shared vision of young adolescent student success. From keynote and featured presentations to speed learning and networking across schools, attendees will leave with a wealth of knowledge and practical insights that can be implemented the next day in your school communities.

Conference Topics

Call for Presentations

Schedule

What can I expect?

Attendees can expect a deep dive into middle gradesʻ best practices as outlined in AMLE’s definitive landmark The Successful Middle School: This We Believe. Together we’ll explore the 18 characteristics of successful middle schools across three overarching categories:

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment
“The goal of the middle school should be to stimulate in the child a love for learning, an attitude of inquiry, a passion for truth and beauty, a questioning mind. The learning of right answers is not enough…beyond answers alone, we must help children ask the right questions, and discover their answers through creative thinking, reasoning, judging, and understanding.” – Dr. William Alexander
Leadership and Organization
“If we are to build the real middle level school, the school that is developmentally responsive and intellectually vigorous, it will take convictions and the courage to carry them out.” – Dr. John H. Lounsbury
Culture and Community
“Middle school educators purposefully foster a culture that sustains the dignity of all members within the school community. This includes students, their families, local community members, and the staff who work within the school. Affirming classroom communities, whether physical or virtual, are formed when students’ identities are valued and respected.” – Dr. Penny Bishop and Dr. Lisa Harrison

Conference Topics

Come ready to be inspired and elevate your learning as we renew our collective commitment to middle level education. You will leave with a vast array of insights and strategies on AMLE’s 18 essential middle level characteristics that can be applied across grade levels:

  • Healthy Habits, Healthy Schools
    • Strong Student Relationships
    • Strong Educational Workplace Relationships
    • Positive School Climate and Culture
    • Restorative Practices and Positive Discipline
    • An Impactful Advisory Program
  • Effective Academic Practices
    • Instructional Strategies
    • Subject Specific Strategies
    • Project-Based Learning
  • Action Oriented Data Decision Making
    • Instruction based on Formative Assessments
  • Responsive Capacity Building
    • Building Leadership Capacity within your Complex Area/District
    • Young Adolescent Development
    • Successful Middle School Teaming Practices
Hawaii Roundtable Session

Call for Presentations

Presentation

Be a part of the action at the AMLE/HIDOE Middle Grades Summit! HIDOE educators are invited to submit session proposals that align with The Successful Middle School: This We Believe and HIDOE priorities.

Timeline:

  • October 27: Call for Presentations opens
  • November 30 December 8: Call for Presentations closes
  • December 8 December 16: Applicants will receive proposal decisions
  • January 5: Accepted presenters will be notified of the date/time of their presentation
Submit Your Proposal

Schedule

Friday, February 7
Registration7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Opening General Session8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakout Session #19:40 AM – 10:40 AM
Breakout Session #210:50 AM – 11:50 AM
Lunch11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Breakout Session #312:50 PM – 1:50 PM
Breakout Session #42:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Closing Session Featuring Middle School Student Voices3:10 PM – 3:30 PM

Schedule is tentative and subject to change