This study explored parents' beliefs and practices regarding participation in the schools, investigating why they chose to become involved and the types of involvement that were meaningful to them. Researchers mailed surveys to parents of middle school children from two schools in Nassau County, New York, that differed in size, ethnic population,…

This publication is the second in a series of monographs developed as a resource for middle-level leaders. It presents case studies at three fictional schools to show variations in improvement efforts and to examine faculty members' participation in the process. The teachers at one school were informed about change initiatives but were never…

The Center on English Learning and Achievement (CELA) has been studying the characteristics of successful English programs in middle and high schools. This report discusses the findings of the first two years of their 5-year Excellence in English study and focuses on the educational practices that support student literacy as well as the…

This case study examined 15 teachers' beliefs about student-centered learning as they implemented Alien Rescue, a computer-based program for middle school science that was designed to create a student-centered learning environment (SCLE) in the classroom. Discusses the goal of student activity, the role of the teacher, assessment, and student…

Describes an informal investigation of students' familiarity with and knowledge of active reading strategies by administering the Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory. Contends that student responses solidified the importance of helping students become aware of reading strategies. Concludes that the best way to encourage content…

Explains that plot and structure, character, setting, point of view, style and language, symbol, and theme are the building blocks of fiction. Contends that these elements of literature provide readers with the tools they need for navigating difficult texts. Concludes that when teachers determine that a novel's setting is too foreign or the point…

Investigates the cognitive skills developed through arts, such as higher order thinking, that have an effect on learning, thinking, and in subject matter domains. Focuses on the artistic experiences of students (n=2046) who attended the target elementary and middle schools (n=12). Includes references. (CMK)

Investigates sense of community at Midwestern school district's middle and high schools. Finds, for example, that regardless of school level, teachers rated "teacher to student" interactions and relationships significantly more positively than did students. Recommends schools' sense of community be enhanced by integrating opportunities for…

Discusses a recent national survey of English language arts educators regarding middle school English. Learns that many respondents to the survey lacked knowledge about middle schools as sites for literacy learning. Notes that few English educators felt they had the necessary resources available to them for developing courses and field experiences…

Describes the learning specialist's role in implementing corrective or remedial programs. Notes that resistance to programs often develops when cooperating classroom teachers are asked to change their teaching styles or strategies. Presents eight guidelines for establishing trust and reducing or eliminating resistance. (MM)

Participating in a transition to a middle-level school provides the most potential for professional growth within a given school culture. In this article, a former middle school principal shows how a content-oriented, somewhat inflexible veteran seventh-grade social studies teacher reluctantly embraced middle-school teaming and eventually…

Discusses computer-based instructional management systems and explains how they can help meet goals of individualized learning. Hardware and software components are explained, the use of an instructional management system in a middle school is described, system selection considerations are suggested, and teacher benefits are considered. (LRW)

Investigates mathematics teachers' beliefs about the role reading plays in mathematics learning and about their role in helping students deal with the reading of mathematics. Finds that the teachers were generally undecided in their beliefs about the role reading plays and about the role they should play in helping students in reading mathematics.…

Evaluated a professional development program for helping middle school teachers respond to changes resulting from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum Standards. Surveys indicated that teachers who completed the two graduate courses combining content and pedagogy had a large increase in their understanding of and beliefs in…

This study examined the frequency of use of several instructional strategies by 59 general educators at the middle school level, with time spent collaborating with special educators and course work taken in specialized techniques. Also examined attitudes toward the inclusion of students with mild disabilities were. Number of instructional…