The tensions that accompany growing up are distressing enough for middle school youngsters, without adding unwarranted pressure for grades. University Middle School faculty considered these factors when they developed the system of student evaluation described in this article. (Author/RK)

Presents the findings of a survey of secondary school principals concerning the problems associated with school activities programs. Lists the four major problems as lack of student participation, lack of sponsors, time restrictions, and financial considerations. (FL)

Surveys wishes and aspirations of early adolescents (rural, urban, and suburban students in central Virginia in grades 6 through 8). Finds 5 themes: the search for personal identity; conflicts in social relationships; life in school; issues of life and death; and real-life societal and global issues. Discusses the implications of these findings…

An investigation of student reactions to elective courses by the English teachers at Weber Junior High School in Port Washington, New York. (Editor/CB)

A survey of school administrators and students in five states reveals four problem areas connected with student activities: (1) participation of noninvolved students, (2) sponsors, (3) time allotments, and (4) financial considerations. The major student-cited cause of nonparticipation in school activities was that they were not relevant. (FL)

This survey of 115 senior high school students in Des Moines, Iowa, shows how important selected individuals were in helping them decide what to do after graduation. The findings showed that parents ranked first. (Author/RK)

The "Generational Differences Scale" was administered to 777 early adolescents in small-town and urban Arizona. Results confirmed the existence of generational differences. Variations in response between small-town and city students were evident, but not strong. (SJL)

Discusses how one school district involved students in curriculum planning as an outgrowth of a district-wide unit in leisure-time study. (FL)

To investigate student attitudes toward grades and grading processes and to determine whether student attitudes represented a generalized construct or a number of identifiable contributing factors, a 57-item opinionnaire was created and administered to 345 junior high school students in a single Eugene, Oregon, school. Results are reported.…

Provides teachers at the high school and elementary levels with some description of actual experiences--both good and bad--that helped to create the students' attitudes about reading. (Author/RK)

Reports responses of 399 midwestern eighth-graders to a questionnaire consisting of stereotypes concerning women's roles, traits of working men and women, and the masculinity/femininity of 20 common occupations. (SJL)

To discover why students ask so few questions in class, a questionnaire was distributed to 166 student teachers in university education courses. Of the three major reasons they cited for failing to ask a question, the most common was fear based on negative past experiences. Implications for teaching are drawn. (Author/SJL)

This survey of student opinions attempted to ascertain the feelings of students toward their middle school. It dealt with student perceptions of classes, teachers, the instructional program and the school itself. (Author)

Reports a recent survey of 380 students (Grades 4-l2) from four central Iowa schools on what adjectives they would use to describe the world and what sources teach them about it. The survey was conducted as part of an evaluation of classroom use of the Associated Press wire service. (Author/SJL)