As a result of cheaper, accessible, and user-friendly technologies, there is an increasing volume of videos created by children, yet these works often lack excellence. Strong pedagogical practice is important to nurture excellence in video production, but there is scant literature in this area. In this paper, I examine best practices through a…

This article describes the experiences of one Minnesota middle school that implemented a year-long integrated STEM program with the cooperation of graduate student fellows from a local university. The authors, two of whom were among the graduate students involved in the project, describe their impressions of the program, share some lessons they…

The authors describe the development and implementation of the Career Institute, a program designed to provide opportunities for young adolescents to explore their interests and abilities in relation to their current educational experiences and future college and career goals. They share details about how the school-wide career development program…

Building strong bonds between home and school is one of National Middle School Association's (2003) 14 characteristics for successful middle schools set forth in "This We Believe". Getting teachers to actually believe in the value of parental involvement is not always easy. This article examines a range of key issues in the literature on…

The Teacher Advisor Program (TAP) is an innovative developmental approach to counseling that directly involves teachers as advisors to 18 to 20 students, with whom they meet both individually and in group sessions. An introductory chapter that cites the need for a developmental approach to counseling in contemporary schools and the potential role…

This descriptive narrative presents a university/school partnership that led to an inquiry-based approach to language arts instruction, resulting in increased opportunities for reflective teaching and learning, students' environmental awareness projects, the integration of science, and the individualization of instruction at the middle school…

Describes a four part program for providing career guidance to middle and junior high school students. Career Exploration for Youth, developed by the Kingsborough Community College (New York) and School District #22 in Brooklyn, included programs for students, parents, and school personnel. (JAC)

Massachusetts is heralded nationally for being the first in the nation to enact a state policy to redesign and expand the learning day for all students to advance academic achievement, broaden enrichment opportunities, and improve instruction. The Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative has gained momentum over the past several years due to the…

In order to comply with the New York State Education Department's (2000) recertification mandates for teacher education programs, the reading clinic of the Master of Science in Literacy Education program at Dowling College, Oakdale, New York was moved to a high-needs school district. This school district was seriously deficient in its pass rate on…

Describes the evolution of the University of Illinois' collaborative Project on High Performance Learning Communities, established in 1989 in response to policymakers' and practitioners' need for a more fully developed, practical knowledge base on educational reform. The university/research partners' role is to synthesize the most current,…

This issue paper describes a professor's and a teacher's experiences with Project Connect, an ongoing collaborative service-learning project between preservice teachers at Western Washington University (WWU) and eighth-grade students at Fairhaven Middle School in the Bellingham (Washington) Public School District. The paper explains that for both…

Describes the staff development process implemented prior to opening a new middle school in eastern York, Pennsylvania. Discusses the initial dilemma, results of an early teacher survey, and the partnership with Penn State York, including the development and content of courses on middle school teaching for teachers making the transition to the new…

Campus Partners in Learning (CPIL) encourages college and university students to act as mentors to middle school youth who are at risk of not completing a secondary education or making the transition to a productive adulthood. This national project, comprised of 202 colleges, offers information, technical assistance, and national visibility for…

Describes a Saturday science program (two 6-hour sessions) for middle school students. The aim of the program is to introduce intelligent and interested students to science as scientists do it, emphasizing fundamental manual and mental skills. Saturday sessions are taught by scientists at a local university. (Author/JN)

Describes Project Enable involving approximately 30 middle school students at risk for dropping out of school and 12 former military men earning teacher certification. Discusses the teacher candidates, essentials of at-risk programs, lessons learned from Project Enable, benefits for participants, and suggestions for working with learners at-risk…