A middle-school counselor thanks her principal for his help over a 15-year working partnership. She is especially grateful for the principal's understanding of middle-level program objectives; respect for counselors' suggestions and nontraditional approaches; support for group counseling, teacher advisory programs, and counselors' professional…

Profiles Ann Blakeney Clark, dynamic North Carolina middle school principal who knows her 750 students by name, insists on individualized education plans, carefully matches students with appropriate teachers. Clark's walk-around management style allows her to catch students and teachers in act of doing things right. Having instituted team teaching…

In a recent survey, 70 effective middle-level administrators describe what qualities make them and their schools successful. Many mentioned superior teaching staff, liking for students, supportive parents, high expectations and commitment, delegation of leadership responsibility, focus on change, personal characteristics, professional activities,…

In an interview published in the June 1980 issue of "Principal," Paul Collins, pioneer principal of a model New Hampshire middle school, called for a real understanding of preadolescent students. The school has continued its experiential learning emphasis and has become involved in action research projects, such as an intensive inservice…

"Turning Points," the report of the Carnegie Task Force on Young Adolescents, examines the condition of America's young people, ages 10-15, and how well middle-grade schools, health institutions, and community organizations serve them. In this interview, David Hornbeck discusses the report and its recommendations. Ignorance concerning this age…

At Frederick Douglass Academy, middle school of choice in central Harlem, principal Lorraine Monroe is creating public school that exudes private school values--hard work, discipline, college preparation. Drawing 75% of its student body from central Harlem, school will evolve into a secondary school and graduate its first class in 1997. The…

Ruben Perez, former assistant principal at Horace Mann Middle School in North Denver, achieved folk-hero status when he suspended 97 disruptive students on a single day. The school board reprimanded Perez for deviating from district discipline policy and transferred him to another middle school. Supported by disgruntled teachers, Perez is suing…

Describes lifelong commitment of middle-school principal and major W.J. Jones to Coahoma, a small town in Mississippi Delta. Thanks to his efforts, town recently acquired a sewage system, blacktopped roads, and new housing (through Habitat for Humanity and World Vision). Although town elementary school fell victim to consolidation and children are…

One middle school principal stemmed the flight of white and middle-class black citizens from a Chattanooga school district and reopened a magnet middle school. Using staff development, she encouraged her teachers to learn how to work effectively to motivate students. (SM)

Middle level schools have special needs because of the characteristics of the age group served. Staff development is crucial for middle schools. Its purposes and major planning components are presented in this paper. Most mid-level educators were prepared for elementary or high school teaching and have a limited knowledge of early adolescent…

Discusses how public relations can help make library media specialists and programs more visible and gives examples from a middle school library media center. Topics include monthly memos to school principals, including statistics; suggesting lesson plan ideas to teachers; attending department meetings; and helping out with routine school tasks.…

Describes the social and learning environment of middle level schools and criticizes attempts by school reformists to eliminate characteristics of schools that have been successful when used in junior high schools and middle schools. (SRT)

Discusses the work of Larry Dixon, assistant superintendent for resources in the Junction City (Kansas) school district, who supports principals in their efforts to improve schools. The paper describes Project TurnAround Teacher, which works in a nontraditional manner to help at-risk students who are discipline problems. (SM)