Although experts agree about what middle level teacher education programs should include, the majority of middle school teachers do not have specialized training. Middle level mandatory certification is necessary to induce middle school teachers to pursue special training. (MLF)

Iroquois Middle School (Michigan) has a five-fold and ongoing positive reinforcement program of birthday cards, student of the month, personalized report cards, positive notes and phone calls, and student awards. (MLF)

Describes a Prescriptive Discipline Plan developed by teachers at a Florida middle school. The plan featured three offense categories: minor infractions handled by teachers, intermediate offenses (cheating, disrespect, and insubordination) handled by administrators, and serious offenses (fighting, assault, sexual misconduct) invoking automatic…

Parent education programs can play a vital role in teaching parents about early adolescent development and behavior and the transition to the middle level. Middle-level educators can conduct a needs assessment, plan and implement sessions and topics, and serve as resource specialists. The result will be increased parent support for young…

Identifies an instrument for measuring learning styles and explains how its usage can help teachers review and improve instructional procedures. (MLF)

Summarizes findings of several major middle schools reports, highlighting the National Middle School Association's publication "This We Believe" (1982), NASSP's "An Agenda for Excellence at the Middle Level" (1985), the California State Department of Education's "Caught in the Middle" (1987), and the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development's…

Describes a study to identify the concerns, issues, and questions about middle-level education in four communities. Survey data gathered from teachers, parents, and the general public were clustered into manageable categories. Major concerns included a pervasive sense of anonymity, puzzling curriculum, lack of rigor or challenge, sociability and…

As shown by a survey of three middle-level assistant principals, student discipline consumes an inordinate amount of attention. Also, participants did not see their position as an avenue to help youngsters. Since school administration duties should be shared, assistant principals must shed their "noneducational,""daily operations…

Describes a data-based, anxiety-reducing supervisory process. Several instruments are presented that can be used by teachers to gather information on their own performance. (MLF)

A ten-year study of television viewing and content found that middle level students watch more television than any other age group. They are exposed to violence, sex, use of drugs, and sex role socialization in many programs. Schools can help students become discriminating consumers of television. (MLF)

For teachers at Laurel (Delaware) Central Middle School, the old, dull routine of lecturing docile children has become an exciting exercise in active teaching and learning. Although RE:Learning has pushed nurturing ahead of intellectual skill development, more students are actively engaged in learning. Teacher attitudes toward building…

In most cases, suspension represents playtime. In a Louisiana middle school, suspended students are given one of many books (related to their offenses) to read. If students fail a comprehension test, they must read the book during in-house detention. Suspension becomes both punitive and productive, since the books and accompanying exercises are…

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…