Middle school students with well-developed social and emotional skills find it easier to relate to others, develop a sense of self-worth, and feel positive about themselves and the world around them. Development of these skills depends on the quality of the home and school environment--the available parental and teacher support--and positive…

The state of Middle Schooling in many Western countries has been described as under threat, at a crossroads and like a wasteland. Within Australia, it has also been claimed that the past generation focus on Middle Schooling is unfinished and exhausted. But a Middle Schooling movement continues in Australia that provides examples of a way out of a…

This paper reports on the processes experienced in the development of a language programme in a high school in the western suburbs of Sydney in 2006 and represents the ideas and views of the two key participants. We consider the different perspectives held by the key participants on the project and how these need to be worked through in order to…

In Western Australia (WA), similar to practices elsewhere, there has been a strong focus on the need for schools to reconsider their practices to increase opportunities for more equitable and inclusive access for all children. Subsequent to a major review of service provision for students with disabilities in WA (Department of Education and…

Describes the experiences of a group of university colleagues working with middle schools in an Australian collaborative research project on authentic assessment, focusing on the tensions that arose from the diverse expectations of the schools, the particular project, the university, and the academics, and describing how the project supported and…

Describes a family intervention and support program which uses counseling, behavior management, and skills-development. The program provides support for parents, addressing their emotional needs and helping them learn and then teach problem-solving skills. Discusses techniques, such as active listening skills, team training procedures, and…

An action research project in Canada set up a penpal program between preservice teachers and middle school children. Its purpose was to promote the literacy development of the younger students and to provide the preservice students with an understanding of adolescents. Although the first year was especially successful and rewarding--the highlights…