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 Although the projects at EDC are diverse, our work with middle schools is united by a belief that all students are active, problem-solving participants in the learning process. A shared commitment to academic excellence, social equity, and developmental responsiveness guides our work. A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e
D e v e l o p m e n t a l R e s p o n s i v e n e s s
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high levels of intellectual achievement,
our projects combine an emphasis on deep knowledge of content with an awareness of
adolescent social and cognitive development. The middle school years are characterized by
significant growth in students’ capacity for conceptual thinking. As such, our
programs and materials emphasize inquiry-based, hands-on learning activities that help
students make connections among disciplines and between concrete activities and abstract
ideas.
Our
curriculum materials couple appreciation for diverse learning styles with academic rigor,
and our professional development projects seek to enhance teachers’ understanding of
the unique needs and rich intellectual promise of diverse learners. Our research continues
to investigate how nontraditional students learn best, and how various teaching and
assessment methods can effectively showcase the talents and strengths of all students. 
reaching across disciplines to engage students in intellectually stimulating
and socially relevant activities. Our professional development projects support teachers
as they develop new instructional strategies appropriate for young adolescents--including
whole class, group, and individual learning activities. And our reform projects work to
improve the climate for academic achievement--both within and outside the school. We
strive to make schools safer, healthier places and we help to build bridges between
classroom learning and the world beyond the school.
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