AMLE Standards for Current Middle Childhood Majors

Principle A: The Learner and Learning

Standard 1: Young Adolescent Development

Middle level teacher candidates understand, use, and reflect on the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to young adolescent development and use that knowledge in their practice. They demonstrate their ability to apply this knowledge when making curricular decisions, planning and implementing instruction, participating in middle level programs and practices, and providing healthy and effective learning environments for all young adolescents.

Principle B: Content

Standard 2: Middle Level Curriculum

Middle level teacher candidates understand and use the central concepts, standards, research, and structures of content to plan and implement curriculum that develops all young adolescents’ competence in subject matter. They use their knowledge and available resources to design, implement, and evaluate challenging, developmentally responsive curriculum that results in meaningful learning outcomes. Middle level teacher candidates demonstrate their ability to assist all young adolescents in understanding the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge. They design and teach curriculum that is responsive to all young adolescents’ local, national, and international histories, language/dialects, and individual identities (e.g. race, ethnicity, culture, age, appearance, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, family composition).

Standard 3: Middle Level Philosophy and School Organization

Middle level teacher candidates understand the major concepts, principles, theories, and research underlying the philosophical foundations of developmentally responsive middle level programs and schools, and they work successfully within middle level organizational components.

Principle C: Instructional Practice

Standard 4: Middle Level Instruction and Assessment

Middle level teacher candidates understand, use, and reflect upon the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to date-informed instruction and assessment. They employ a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, information literacy skills, and technologies to meet the learning needs of all young adolescents (e.g. race, ethnicity, culture, age, appearance, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, family composition).

Principle D: Professional Responsibilities

Standard 5: Middle Level Professional Roles

Middle level teacher candidates understand their complex roles as teachers of young adolescents. They engage in practices and behaviors that develop their competence as middle level professionals. They are informed advocates for young adolescents and middle level education, and work successfully with colleagues, families, community agencies, and community members. Middle level teacher candidates demonstrate positive dispositions and engage in ethical professional behaviors.

*Further explanation of each of these standards can be found in the document entitled “AMLE Middle Level Teacher Preparation Standards”.