This article reports an investigation of the musical and extra-musical outcomes of participation in a music programme for students in four socio-economically disadvantaged school settings. Drawing on the theory of Positive Youth Development, which provides a focus on the positive assets young people bring to their engagement rather than perceived…

For all students, the academic demands of secondary school are numerous. Students must be able to read and write in a variety of content areas; determine the importance of what is being said by the instructor; take notes in a format that can be used later for review; and keep track of their materials, class requirements, and daily schedules. Most…

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…

Discusses four principles that can help middle school environments overcome common behavior problems and become places where young adolescents develop responsibility for their learning: (1) foster natural human development; (2) respond to individual needs; (3) avoid artificially imposed classroom order and promote self organization; and (4) value…

Discusses the needs for restructuring the curriculum, instruction and environment of middle schools to better meet the needs of learners and teachers. Suggests that most reform today is moving toward a developmentally appropriate, child-centered approach. Issues under consideration include a definition of developmentally appropriate programs at…