Considers key issues in implementing authentic assessment systems in middle schools, including its implications for content organization and classroom instruction, teacher and administrator involvement, and legitimizing teaching to the test. Presents concerns about authentic assessment related to outcomes and measurement, time constraints, labor…

Studied the meaning of caring as constructed by 25 eighth graders, based on interactions with their teachers in a southwestern suburban middle school. Found that students had six major interpretations of caring, centered on control, equality, forgiveness, talking and listening, knowing students, and good teaching. (KB)

Provides a rationale for the shift from textbook to thematic instruction in middle schools. Describes a six-session staff development model for thematic instruction that covers the utility and applicability of this approach, development of thematic units, use of literature in such units, assessment of student progress, and implementation of…

Studied reasons for tardiness given by students in private middle school for girls. Found that some sort of transportation problem was the most common reason, followed by health-related causes, sleeping habits, family-related excuses, no reason given, and miscellaneous excuses. (KB)

Discusses the pivotal role of the middle school principal in the success of collaborative teaching teams. Details team functions, selection, and stages of team development. Also discusses team meetings, reports, leader meetings, team competition, and team professional growth. (ET)

Middle school students' real-life interests and preoccupations with themselves make them ideally suited to enjoy reading. Lists eight premises about teaching writing that have parallels in the teaching of literature. (12 references) (MLF)

A Connecticut middle school has developed a student plan book that is a communication tool between school and students' homes. Students use the book to record homework assignments and daily grades and take the book home every night so that parents can see the students' grades and assigned homework. (MLF)

Recognizing the benefits of parental involvement, these suggested activities comprise a starter list for educators interested in encouraging parents to participate in their students' education: training opportunities, homework helplines, school personnel directories, promotion and recognition of parent efforts, casual social affairs, needs and…

Describes the teacher preparation program at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania), which integrates various disciplines across its academic program and field experiences. Notes the program's major concepts: reflection, collaboration, and conceptual thinking. (HTH)

Notes five broad types of discipline problems teachers encounter in their classrooms. Provides keys to a successful discipline management program, which includes being consistent, setting standards, and keeping a sense of humor. Suggests ways to promote favorable student attitudes toward school. Includes a conflict clarification form and suggested…

Outlines a minicourse for the middle level, intended as a foundation for planning courses that meet the unique needs of each school and its students. The course, on the properties of silver, covers the curricular areas of science, social studies, language arts, math, creative arts, and vocational-career education. (HTH)

Gives strategies middle school teachers can use to promote student writing. Includes brief discussions of authentic writing; freedom of topic choice; free time to write; and the process of review, revision, feedback, and reinforcement. (ET)

Examines how principals of high achieving middle schools use their various roles to promote student achievement and engage the school community--staff members, students, and parents--in studying and addressing the achievement needs of students. Outlines the characteristics of the principal's roles as inspirational leader, human resource developer,…

Notes that a clearly defined purpose with identification of performance goals is crucial to the success of middle school teacher teams. Provides several practical ways for teacher teams to discover or define their purpose, including naming the team and identifying desirable qualities for team members. (HTH)

Administrators should hire a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, motivated teacher who also has the ability to listen, the willingness to build relationships, and the ability to understand the middle level students' state of mind. (MLF)