Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary or Middle School?

A recent study found that sixth graders in middle schools fare worse than their peers in elementary schools. It also found that the negative effects of grouping sixth graders with older students are lasting and persist at least through ninth grade

Sixth graders placed in middle schools have more discipline problems and lower test scores than their peers who attend elementary schools, according to a study by researchers at Duke University and the University of California, Berkeley.

In addition, the negative effects of grouping sixth graders with older students are lasting and persist at least through ninth grade.

“These findings cast serious doubt on the wisdom of the historic nationwide shift to the grades 6-8 middle school format,” said Philip Cook, Duke professor of public policy and economics and an author of the paper.

This report is available online as a Sanford Institute working paper at www.pubpol.duke.edu. Click here to read the complete report, “Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary or Middle School? An Analysis of Grade Configuration and Student Behavior.”