The middle level years are a crucial time for student development, a time when the path for school success is set for many students. Educators who focus on character and leadership development realize that training in these areas can play a significant role in developing students who will become effective leaders and active citizens in middle…

Six years ago, students at Birch Meadow Elementary School (Reading, Massachusetts) were polite to adults, but callous and uncaring toward each other. Today, thanks to a "Just Community" approach modeled on Lawrence Kohlberg's philosophy, students feel a sense of school ownership and responsibility for their classmates. (MLH)

This report describes a pilot school's experiences with new governance techniques involving a high degree of student participation. A staff member account of these experiences describes the structure used by the school for staff-student power sharing and discusses staff and student reaction to this structure. He provides a personal assessment of…

Researchers have noted that the personal attributes of high school all-state participants have not been probed and have expressed surprise at this void in the music education literature (Cole, 1986; Fuller, 1989; Welker, 1997). The purpose of this study was to ascertain, through participant self-report data, the activities and accomplishments of…

Describes how Sudbury Valley School (Framingham, Massachusetts) teaches concepts such as formation of just laws and law enforcement through School Meeting, modeled on New England town meetings, at which every student and teacher has one vote. Discusses how students make and enforce all rules governing behavior. (NEC)

The City School is a K-8 magnet school in Lowell, Massachusetts. Student, teacher, and parent participation in the school's curriculum and governance have resulted in a strong sense of ownership and an effective and exciting educational environment. (GC)

In the Fall of 2004, after many years of discussion by adults in the City of Somerville, Massachusetts, the Somerville Youth Council started. For several months, a youth planning group met weekly to craft the mission of the council and the by-laws. There was a critical need to create a process to enable youth of the city to explore possible…

A fairness committee consists of a group of about 15 people, usually students, teachers, and administrators, who are either volunteers or are elected. This committee tries to improve the overall school climate by improving the quality of relationships between students, teachers, and administrators. It offers a neutral place for individuals to…