Adolescence is a critical period of development. Previous research suggests parent involvement in school directly impacts student success. However, different types of parental involvement and the efforts of middle school personnel to educate parents about these effective practices have received scant attention in the literature. The level and type…

The authors provide a selected review of mental health and educational concerns evident in U.S. middle schools and describes promising and important strategies to ameliorate the high rates of students with mental health and academic difficulties. Despite some promising and important strategies, service systems are fragmented, and comprehensive…

With the development of Chinese economic reform, many medical and educational workers have begun to provide adolescent life education and counseling on aspects of sexual education, sexual ethics, and sexual law. The National Education Commission and Public Health Ministry issued documents to ask education units to engage in this adolescent…

The dramatic ups and downs so often witnessed in adolescents are the result of changes in their brain activity. It is vital that the emotional and psychological needs that arise from such intense brain development are acknowledged and addressed so that middle school becomes a safe environment for the budding adults.

Changes in teacher education programs and middle-level curricula are advocated based on the sociological implications of research on middle-level education. Teaching and learning effectiveness can be improved with better understanding of adolescent development. (DF)

The role of the middle schools in promoting adolescent development and the areas in which the curriculum can help children make the difficult and critical transition from childhood to adolescence are discussed. (MSE)

Describes a school prevention program that emphasizes normal developmental needs of middle school students. The School Families groups, comprised of middle school students, teachers, and adults, met weekly during the school day to discuss issues related to academic performance, decision making, self-esteem, and social skills. Evaluation results…

Data-based studies comparing effectiveness of middle schools to traditional or other schools are almost nonexistent. The middle school movement may have gained acceptance as a reaction to the failures of junior high schools and as a response to improved understanding of the nature of the learner. The state of Pennsylvania bases the organization of…

Adolescents are challenged to adjust to a new physical sense of self, new intellectual abilities, and cognitive demands; expand verbal skills; establish emotional and psychological independence from parents; establish adult vocational goals; develop productive peer relationships; manage their sexuality; and develop self-control. Transitional…

Within the systemic framework of comprehensive school counseling programs, this article explores middle school counselors' vital role in collaborating with other educators to promote the academic development of early adolescents. Research pertinent to contemporary middle school counseling in this developmental domain is summarized, especially as…

This report of the Australian Ministerial Committee on Middle Schooling examines emerging conceptions of middle schooling and educational arguments regarding adoption of middle schooling, weighs financial implications, and provides several brief policy recommendations. Chapter 1, "Introduction," reviews the establishment of the…

This speech addresses reform in the middle grades. The ideas were prompted by mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. The speaker focused on eight fundamental questions, suggesting that the questions should have less to do with the techniques of implementation than with provoking discussion about a school system's or school's values, priorities,…

Teacher educators, teachers, parents, and principals participated in a 1983 seminar in Australia on early adolescents. A literature review on schooling for early adolescents was prepared as background reading for seminar participants. The opening address was given by Professor Colin Power, Flinders University of South Australia, who outlined the…

A three-year study was conducted to evaluate the implementation of the Transitional School Model in the Des Moines, Iowa, Independent Community School District. The model was designed to provide early adolescents in grades 6-8 with a more comprehensive bridge between elementary school and high school by emphasizing students' physical, emotional,…