Deciding which instructional strategies to employ is a complex issue faced daily by middle school teachers. Although a wealth of literature on developmentally appropriate and responsive middle school instructional practices is available, the extent to which these strategies are employed is often unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to…

Creating successful schools for all early adolescent learners requires educators, parents, and community members to rethink current middle-school organizational structures, programs, and practices. The great challenge is recreating schools as inclusive communities that offer equal educational opportunities. Learning should be emphasized as…

Based on 12 years of involvement with advisory programs in various formats, this article underscores their benefits--including positive school climate, student proficiency at solving peer conflicts, and enhanced student self-esteem. Advisory programs, which serve a prereferral function, should be coordinated by the school counselor and scheduled…