Imagines the possibilities if middle school teachers worked together cooperatively for educational change. Provides data from one such collaborative effort experienced by two middle school teachers. Claims that such collaboration can be an exciting and challenging addition to many teachers' professional lives. (HB)

The development of interdisciplinary teaching teams offers the counselor increasing opportunities to benefit larger numbers of students than usually appear in the guidance office. The counselor also gains more opportunities for inservice teacher education and for facilitating parent-teacher conferences. A format for this last function is outlined.…

Argues that the eight-period school day actually causes many of the discipline and retention problems found in traditional middle schools. Argues that misbehavior is often a symptom of a broken system, not a reaction of broken children or the hormones of adolescence. Suggests four steps educators can take to eliminate some middle-school problems.…