Describes how, operating from a model that values collaboration between educators and the community at large, the League of Women Voters worked to evaluate the Minneapolis school district's middle school reform efforts. Addresses: (1) elements of the school reform efforts; (2) the League's Middle School Achievement Project (MSAP); (3) the…

Describes how, as part of the Middle School Achievement Project, Minneapolis parents and community members shadowed students and teachers, and experienced middle level classrooms while collecting data about curriculum and classroom environments that led to middle level school improvement. Details study procedures including study instruments,…

Describes an online exchange project between middle school students and college English Education majors being introduced to middle school language arts teaching. Specifically details: (1) preparation for an online exchange; (2) goals for the project; (3) the exchange going online; (4) questions college students asked; (5) what all the students…

Describes development of San Diego State University's middle level teacher preparation program. Details how the program was designed explicitly to prepare credential candidates to: work effectively with young adolescents; be productive contributors on interdisciplinary teams; serve as effective advisors; accommodate diversity by focusing on the…

Describes the efforts of a group of teachers, administrators, teacher educators, and Arts and Sciences faculty at the University of Georgia to improve an established middle grades teacher preparation program. Details the change process and participants' thoughts and ideas about undergraduate teacher education. (EV)

Describes creation and evaluation of a middle level teacher certification program for both undergraduates and graduates at Maryville University in St. Louis. Notes four conceptual strands flow through the program: developmental, curriculum and instruction, school and society, and inquiry and research. (EV)