This article discusses the importance of mixed-methods research, in particular the value of qualitatively driven mixed-methods research for quantitatively driven domains like educational accountability. The article demonstrates the merits of qualitative thinking by describing a mixed-methods study that focuses on a middle school's system of…

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…

The Avon Grove School District has a middle school orientation program for incoming elementary students and their parents, which consists of several visits and open houses in the Spring and at the beginning of the Fall term. (SJL)

Recognizing the need for opportunities for children to interact meaningfully with older adults, this fastback discusses the organization and implementation of intergenerational programs in elementary and middle schools. It begins with a description of effective programs, focusing on the impact of two programs on students and older adults. The…

Middle schools embrace exploration as a guiding principle across the school curriculum. Noting that the research on exploratory courses is sparse, this digest discusses what is known about exploratory curriculum in middle schools. The digest first looks at the role of exploratory curriculum, pointing out that the purpose of exploratory courses is…

This digest highlights the planning phase of developing and implementing middle school foreign language programs, focusing particular attention on program types and criteria for selecting an appropriate program. Specific issues addressed include the following: (1) Which language or languages should be taught? (2) At what grade level should foreign…

This directory profiles 60 secondary school programs designed to accommodate the educational needs of immigrant students with low level English and/or native language skills, and often a background of limited formal schooling in their native countries. Most are intended as transitional programs, attended until the student can be placed in 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,…

A program is described that was developed, implemented, and evaluated at the P.K. Yonge Laboratory School at the University of Florida. It was designed to help middle school students to increase competencies in basic computation. The nine criteria guiding development were: 1) individualized instruction; 2) greater student responsibility for…

This monograph offers middle grades educators recommendations for increasing the involvement of family members in school-related programs and activities. Introductory material describes the earlier work of the National Middle School Association in fostering parent involvement. Next, the monograph describes reasons for encouraging such involvement,…

The purpose of this practicum was to develop and implement an articulation model between a senior high school and a feeder intermediate school based on problems identified in a needs assessment. Treatments in the form of objectives were applied to the various problems uncovered and became the basis for the model. Subsequent evaluation indicated…

This practicum developed a model of vertical articulation between elementary feeder schools and an intermediate school. The program and model were developed after a formal needs assessment was carried out to determine articulation problems. After problems were determined, objectives were formulated and strategies developed. Objectives that…

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…

This monograph offers suggestions to teachers and administrators for involving parents in middle school programs. It outlines the reasons for encouraging such involvement, identifies some of the roles parents may play, and delineates the steps to be taken in establishing a program that taps the time and talents of parents and other adults.…