A survey of participatory management practices at eight representative middle schools disclosed three key differences between more and less effective principals. Effective principals felt responsible for all aspects of their schools, accurately perceived how teachers viewed their relationships and involvement levels, and identified key teacher…

Cooperative learning is a developmentally appropriate tool that enhances subject relevancy and real-life learning for adolescents. When coupled with an interdisciplinary curriculum, cooperative learning can add instructional variety, help students show consideration for others, involve students in decision making and problem solving, provide…

Middle school teachers can avoid most discipline problems by creating positive relationships with students that are built on mutual respect and dignity. Stimulating instruction that actively involves students in learning is another deterrent to misbehavior. Effective teachers communicate their expectations regarding rules and consequences. (seven…

To address the retained-student dropout rate and increase parent involvement, a Fort Lauderdale (Florida) middle school principal devised a program to help overage seventh graders catch up with their peers in one year and help parents achieve their own education goals. The Rogers' Achievement Program stresses basic skills, student-designed…

Principals can help at-risk students in the middle school by identifying them early; scheduling them with counselors and teachers who can meet their needs; keeping in close contact with teachers about student grades; and offering opportunities for academic success. Finally, the entire staff must support the philosophy that failure is not an…

The transition from elementary school to middle school brings apprehension to both students and their parents. At one school, parents and teachers worked together to improve the transition process with visits to the middle school, an information packet, orientation programs, and a teacher-made video. (MLF)

Describes restructuring objectives and changes at a suburban middle school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Although collaborative planning led to predictable changes (interdisciplinary teaching, advisories, flexible scheduling, common planning time, core curricula, and a discipline system), several unplanned changes occurred regarding home-school…

At a Virginia middle school, the Collaborative Teaching Project was established to increase overall student achievement and attitude levels, while providing teachers skilled at delivering instructional programs to children with a wide variety of instructional and personal needs. Program objectives were built around student outcomes, staff…

As an alternative to a pullout program, Ardsley (New York) Middle School implemented a collaborative/integrated special education program for grades five through eight. Each interdisciplinary team has a communication arts, social studies, math, and science teacher, as well as a special education teacher and a teaching assistant. Additional support…

Many school districts have set up alternative learning centers to provide programs for students whose behavior problems keep them from functioning effectively in a traditional school program. A recent study of seven alternative middle school programs attributes program success to teacher effectiveness, focus on student learning, and smaller class…

School leaders must take the initiative to create an environment that invites families of all types into schools. Offers 16 proven parent-involvement strategies to help improve student achievement including mutual goal setting, an analysis of school policies, and a schoolwide communication plan. (eight references) (MLF)

Research over four decades supports the learning effectiveness of interdisciplinary curricula. Emphasizing interrelationships across the curriculum creates powerful learning opportunities that help students find relevance in course content and become more actively engaged in learning. This special issue addresses teacher preparation for…

At a Pennsylvania middle school, an informal, cooperative effort to apply fractions to cookie recipes resulted in an interdisciplinary project on the homelessness. Embracing home economics, mathematics, art, English, social studies, and reading, the project incorporates the essentials of middle school philosophy: cooperative learning, team…

Educators at a Connecticut middle school are creating programs to help students develop more positive self-images within a safe, supportive learning environment. Schoolwide restructuring efforts led to teams of professionals concerned with school learning climate, team teaching, monitoring of pupil progress, staff development, at-risk students,…

Community service links the school with society and should be part of the middle-level curriculum. Ediger's article describes three sixth-grade community service projects involving a nursing home entertainment program, the police department, and a trash-awareness project. Hamilton and Hanna describe a "points of light" project involving…