Evidence suggests that a middle school organizational design has some administrative advantages over the traditional junior high school program because of the more unified social and academic atmosphere. (LH)

England's National Curriculum is felt to exhibit confusion about whether Level 1 is a grade or a stage and whether young disabled students begin at Level 1 or Level O. It is proposed that all children start school on Level 1; when they accomplish the statements of attainment, they have completed Level 1. (JDD)

This supplement/newsletter contains booktalks, news, and other information of interest to librarians, teachers, and readers. This issue includes plans for future issues of the newsletter as well as reviews of fiction and nonfiction books for elementary and secondary school students. Appropriate grade levels, popularity level, and quality level are…

Reviews recent trends in grade organization and factors to consider in examining changes at the district level. Cites the lack of empirical evidence supporting any one form of grade organization as a reason for the range of patterns found in American school districts. Offers guidelines for accomplishing grade organization change. (Author/WD)

Discusses history of the development of computer software to determine material readability and general design of readability software. Tables present summaries of: (1) parameters used by selected readability scales and their grade level applications; and (2) microcomputer software programs available, including readability techniques included in…

Discussion of five issues selected from National Association of Secondary School Principals' national study of middle level education and principalship. (DCS)

Based on questionnaires sent to educational software companies in January 1988, this directory lists 78 companies. Information given includes company address, curriculum subject areas for which the company publishes software, types of machines and operating systems on which the software operates, and grade level for which it is targeted. (LRW)

Discusses the roles of the administrator and the teachers in structuring curriculum continuity from one grade to the next in the elementary school. Briefly outlines a plan for implementing an articulation program. (SJL)

Examines the effects of sex, grade level, region, and academic preparation of secondary school students on energy opinions. Assesses the responses of students on energy items related to the government, cars, and conservation. Results reveal significant regional and sex differences. (ML)

A proposal is offered for restructuring the elementary school into two divisions. At the primary level (K-3) the focus would be on acquiring basic skills, while at the upper level (4-6) these skills would be applied to literature, social studies, mathematics, and science. (TE)

Results of a study relating student teacher success to the effectiveness of the cooperating teacher, to grade level placement, to race of the student teacher, and to previous teaching experience are presented. Perceptions of outstanding student teachers as to what classroom management practices were effective for them are also examined. (JMF)

A study of 42,407 college students' ratings of teachers in 5 departments and at 4 instructional levels (first-year through graduate study) revealed that perceptions of improvements needed in teaching skills varied significantly according to instructional level, class size, and discipline. Implications for college administration and instructional…

A study of undergraduates found that grades, class year, focused academic library activities, informal faculty interaction, active course learning, and conscientious writing resulted in gains in critical thinking, suggesting that academic librarians should design library-research-skills courses to increase student-focused use of the library and…