Evaluation Spurs Questions About Ga. Investment in Middle Schools

Georgia has spent more than $350 million since 1988 to improve education for middle-school-age students in hopes of increasing their academic success in high school.

But a preliminary evaluation of the 8-year-old middle school incentive-grant program has left some wondering whether the investment has paid off and others defending the middle schools they worked hard to develop.

The Georgia education department collected test scores and dropout and retention rates from 26 middle schools and 26 junior high schools and polled students, teachers, and parents at 14 middle schools and 14 junior highs. In fiscal 1996, incentive funds went to 315 schools...