Argues for and gives ideas of how to involve more students in the activities of middle schools. (IRT)

Aurora, Colorado's Horizon Middle School maintains good community relations partly by housing a branch of the city library, a city-sponsored community center, three classrooms for a preschool, a sixth-grade class, a boy scout troop, soccer teams, local homeowners' associations, and two church groups. (PGD)

Identifies an instrument for measuring learning styles and explains how its usage can help teachers review and improve instructional procedures. (MLF)

Middle school interdisciplinary teams developed a student behavioral management plan that aims to identify, develop, and coordinate appropriate school responses to the behavior of a specific student that will enable the youngster to become a successful, contributing member of the school program. Sample plan included. (Author/DCS)

Describes a data-based, anxiety-reducing supervisory process. Several instruments are presented that can be used by teachers to gather information on their own performance. (MLF)

Advice on ways to make the transition process from junior high to middle school easier. (Author/MLF)

Suggestions are made for implementing programs that enhance students' self-concept and self-esteem. Eight program activities illustrate examples of what principals can do for students in these areas. (MLF)

Staff development is the key to middle school effectiveness, and this article lists characteristics of an effective staff development program, examples of activities and topics, and questions for program evaluation. (DCS)

Middle school principals should seek to alleviate the frustration of teachers, make efforts to help parents understand preadolescents' development, assist students in their total development, and work at developing a supportive educational climate. (MLF)

Curriculum developers should consider middle level learners' needs for intellectual growth and individual attention and their needs to understand themselves and know others. (MLF)

Describes a framework for moving from the general school effectiveness factors to specific practices and behaviors focusing on strong leadership by the principal. Outlines the general functions of instructional leadership, then narrows to one function, monitoring student progress, and derives specific principal behaviors. (MLF)

Reviews recent trends in grade organization and factors to consider in examining changes at the district level. Cites the lack of empirical evidence supporting any one form of grade organization as a reason for the range of patterns found in American school districts. Offers guidelines for accomplishing grade organization change. (Author/WD)

Tips are offered on how to ease the transition of students from elementary to middle level or junior high schools. A teacher-advisor program is proposed, and staff development modules are suggested to help teachers assist students in the transition process. (TE)

Middle schools are here to stay. The overriding purpose of middle-level education continues to be that of providing programs based on the unique characteristics, needs, and interests of middle-level students. (Author/TE)

Cooperation between middle level and high school administrators and teachers depends on their awareness of the great diversity of intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development among middle level students. Administrators can then make changes to improve program articulation. (MLF)