Proposes clustering content areas of a middle school curriculum under humanities, technology, and personal study. An interdisciplinary team planning approach could eliminate the schism between academic and other subjects. (MLF)

Suggestions are made for implementing programs that enhance students' self-concept and self-esteem. Eight program activities illustrate examples of what principals can do for students in these areas. (MLF)

Assessed the implementation level of Carnegie recommendations for middle schools in Louisiana and investigated whether implementing these recommendations was related to desirable student and school outcomes, using the Middle School Practices Questionnaire. Implementation results were not promising. However, implementing recommended middle-level…

The middle level social studies curriculum should involve interdisciplinary instruction and in-depth study of issues that lead students to make connections. (eight references) (MLF)

As this survey of 18 Florida middle school principals shows, experienced junior high principals can make the transition to effective instructional leadership in newly reorganized middle schools if given proper support. Using team planning, these principals can create a harmonious balance of elementary and secondary perspectives--the hallmark of a…

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…

The more students know about themselves and the world of work, the more likely they are to make satisfying decisions about their future. Middle-level school counselors can offer students a variety of career awareness experiences via interest inventories and aptitude tests, career cluster exploration, computer-assisted guidance, field trips,…

An effective middle level adviser/advisee program requires that students and teachers work together outside their normal content-specific relationship. Teaching study skills allows teachers to blend their traditional role with the novel adviser role. Tips are provided concerning study skill components, including text reading, note taking, mapping,…

Recounts the case of Lauren, a moderately disabled student suspended for disruptive, aggressive behavior before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was amended. The Seventh Court of Appeals upheld the suspension. The majority of such cases have gone against districts, reflecting a relatively high judicial standard of dangerous…

As one Houston middle school demonstrates, a magnet program for gifted students can be successfully integrated with a regular program via music and art electives and whole-school activities. Gifted students are accelerated in many but not all courses; regular students can choose to be accelerated in specific content areas. (11 references) (MLH)

Good inservices result from effective communication among administrators, educators, and presenters. Common problems (beyond speakers' control) include ill-defined topics, unexpected audience members, audience size and deportment, unavailable equipment, overly ambitious goals, and lack of continuity. Effective inservices often use conference-style…

This research was designed to examine the effects of the use of individualized, learning-style based homework prescriptions on the achievement and attitudes of middle level students. Sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from an urban, parochial school in New York City were provided either learning-style-based homework prescriptions or…

Describes a staff development program used at Corbett Middle School in Gresham, Oregon, that introduced learning style theory and in subsequent years focused on helping teachers implement teaching methods that applied the theory effectively and creatively. The program's goals, processes, support services, and evaluation are discussed. (PGD)

Staff development is the key to middle school effectiveness, and this article lists characteristics of an effective staff development program, examples of activities and topics, and questions for program evaluation. (DCS)

Advising that involvement be done carefully, the writer first lays the groundwork for the involvement of staff in junior high/middle schools and then offers administrators several points to keep in mind as teachers are involved on the management team. (Editor)