This document contains an elementary and secondary school music program evaluation undertaken by Albuquerque (New Mexico) students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Albuquerque music education is described in terms of: (1) elementary, middle, and high school music programs; (2) instrument inventories; (3) instrument and equipment needs and…

Presents data from a survey of the effectiveness of middle school programs in 34 states. The data show that changing to middle school organization results in student achievement gains, decreased discipline problems, enhanced personal development among students, and other positive effects. (MD)

Reviews current practices in middle schools. Includes a listing of 24 practices used in effective middle schools extrapolated from a survey of literature on effective schools. (MD)

Surveys 40 middle-school language-arts teachers in 3 local public school districts. Finds that (1) most teachers believed it was important for their students to master grammar; and (2) teachers spend considerable time teaching grammar. Argues that grammar deserves a prominent place in the middle school curriculum. (RS)

This report reviews and analyzes the results of the third statewide analytical writing assessment of Oregon eighth graders. Following an introduction, the report is in five chapters: (1) The Oregon Writing Assessment Interpretive Panel: Comments and Recommendations; (2) Strengths and Weaknesses in Student Writing--A Trait-by-Trait Analysis (giving…

Discusses a recent national survey of English language arts educators regarding middle school English. Learns that many respondents to the survey lacked knowledge about middle schools as sites for literacy learning. Notes that few English educators felt they had the necessary resources available to them for developing courses and field experiences…

This paper reviews pertinent factors and guidelines for those responsible for determining the existence or extent of middle school/junior high school athletic programs. The guidelines take into consideration opportunities that should be offered to all students, health and safety of participants, equal opportunities for boys and girls, athletic…

This resource guide is the outcome of a 1989-1990 survey of school practices and programs that was distributed to all middle-level principals in Wisconsin public schools. The purposes of the survey were to assess the extent of middle-level programming in Wisconsin; highlight some needs in a school improvement effort; and share promising practices.…

This final report of Project OPTION (Opening People to Increasing Opportunities Now) is also a handbook including methods used in the project and suitable for replication. The first section outlines the design of the project, whose goals were to reduce the influence of sex-role stereotyping on students' career choices, increase awareness of…

The position statement of the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers (WAFLT) task force on middle school foreign languages outlines its philosophy for development and administration of second language programs and instruction to meet the special characteristics and social and educational needs of middle school students. The report…

The Mathematics Assessment Process (MAP) for the Middle Grades gives teachers and school reform leaders new tools to examine and systematically realign mathematics programs. MAP engages an interdisciplinary coalition within a school in an exploration of mathematics instructional excellence. Through an extensive self-study, a school answers the…

Noting that the middle-school years are a time when adolescents "try on" roles and attitudes, test boundaries, and draw tentative conclusions about personal and social behaviors, this book draws on findings of a survey of nearly 2,000 10- to 17-year-olds regarding perceived and real differences between girls and boys to guide teens…

The Mathematics Assessment Process (MAP) for the Middle Grades gives teachers and school reform leaders new tools to examine and systematically realign mathematics programs. MAP engages an interdisciplinary coalition within a school in an exploration of mathematics instructional excellence. Through an extensive self-study, a school answers the…