The effect of the middle school experience upon the pre-adolescent's self-concept development is the focus of this report. Self-concept is defined as an understanding of the self based upon an internal frame of reference. The development of a positive self-concept has been frequently listed as a goal of the middle schools. Five research projects…

This first chapter in "The Challenge of Counseling in Middle Schools" contains four articles that describe strategies for counselors to use in helping middle school students move toward self-understanding. "A Dialogue with Self: The Journal as an Educational Tool," by Dalva Hedlund, Tanis Furst, and Kathryn Foley, describes journal writing as a…

Proposes clustering content areas of a middle school curriculum under humanities, technology, and personal study. An interdisciplinary team planning approach could eliminate the schism between academic and other subjects. (MLF)

Suggestions are made for implementing programs that enhance students' self-concept and self-esteem. Eight program activities illustrate examples of what principals can do for students in these areas. (MLF)

Conducted three studies using early and late adolescents to examine gender differences in identity development. Found that both genders used identity statuses comparably, except for foreclosure which characterized males significantly more than females. Both genders used identity process similarly in domains of vocational choice, religious beliefs,…

The whole middle school movement is based on the knowledge that children between the ages of 10 and 14 have special developmental needs. Summarizes recent research findings. A sidebar lists eight recommendations for middle school executives adapted from the Carnegie Corporation document "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st…

Examined the degree to which affect regulation in the family as a whole would be linked to a particular quality of marital relationships--individuation. Found that individuated marital systems were associated with more positive affective tone, better conflict resolution, greater optimization of individual development within family relationships,…

This fifth chapter in "The Challenge of Counseling in Middle Schools" looks at the issue of sexual maturation in early adolescence via four articles. "The Counselor's Impact on Middle-Grade Students," by Hershel Thornburg, examines physical, intellectual, and social developmental tasks of early adolescence. "Contraceptive and Sexuality Knowledge…

Focusing on preadolescence to late-adolescence, this research examines how "early" exit from the student role and "early" entry into the adult role reflect factors operating prior to adolescence. Only leaving school early appears to be related to preadolescent career decisions and academic performance in high school. (Author/BW)

Middle school principals should seek to alleviate the frustration of teachers, make efforts to help parents understand preadolescents' development, assist students in their total development, and work at developing a supportive educational climate. (MLF)

Curriculum developers should consider middle level learners' needs for intellectual growth and individual attention and their needs to understand themselves and know others. (MLF)

This case study describes the process of introducing braille reading to a sixth-grade girl with severe visual impairment. Her mastery of braille as a supplement to large-print reading is discussed in the context of the influence of adolescence and the child's self-consciousness about using braille in the presence of other students. (DB)

Recognizing the need for more active learning experiences and appropriate after-school activities for 11- to 14-year-olds, the Early Adolescent Helper Program has designed and tested a model program. Seminars and internships prepare students for placement, which is frequently in child-care or senior centers. (JMM)

Four schools which are effectively responding to the developmental diversity of early adolescents are profiled. The instructional, environmental, and administrative innovations of these successful programs are described. (SK)

Refutes an article that appeared in the August issue of "The American School Board Journal," which argued that middle-level education provides a rationale for consolidating rural schools. Presents research findings and describes the middle-level philosophy to show that developmentally responsive middle-level schools do not foster school…