This paper reports on a research project to identify school program criteria producing the highest teacher stress levels for three new middle schools. The middle-school environment embodies specific concepts endemic to educating adolescents. The new middle schools opened with teachers who were unfamiliar with both middle-school concepts and with…

Kentucky is one of 27 states selected to participate in Carnegie's grant-sponsored Middle Grade Schools State Policy Initiative. This publication offers a blueprint for change in Kentucky's middle grades. Data were collected through surveys of: (1) a total of 214 administrators, 909 teachers, 878 parents, and 1,047 students at 228 Kentucky…

Objectives of the study were (1) to develop and implement an alternative work experience program for a middle school; (2) to test the effect of the program on attitudes toward school, career maturity, and vocational interests of the students; and (3) to provide information and procedures for a model work experience program. Western Kentucky…

A Javits grant implemented statewide in Kentucky used innovative curriculum and team teaching to identify and serve middle school gifted students. Project components included interdisciplinary curriculum development, staff development, expanded provision of services, alternative methods for identifying middle school gifted students, and parent…

In 1988, the Jefferson County Public Schools, in Louisville (Kentucky), received an initial planning grant from the Program for Student Achievement of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation to focus on three "highs" in education--high content, high expectations, and high support. The school district chose three middle schools to participate…

A middle school reform initiative, sponsored by the Program for Disadvantaged Youth of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation 4 years ago, has taken hold in 12 urban middle schools nationwide. The article discusses that reform, noting the lessons about change to accommodate student diversity that urban middle schools can teach. (SM)

This monograph reports on a survey of middle level teacher preparation, based on the 1992 "Windows of Opportunity" study and on a modified Delphi process which identified a pool comprised of members of the Center for Early Adolescence and others. These educators were asked to rate the 33 recommendations from the "Windows of…

Intended for use by teachers on the middle or junior high school level in Kentucky, this curriculum guide outlines a four-week course in parenthood education. The eight units included are as follow: (1) responsibilities of parenthood, including parental roles and financial responsibilities; (2) human reproduction; (3) family planning and birth…