Discusses the role of the middle school concept for creating small communities for learning that ensure success for all students as a key step in reducing alienation, despair, and violence among adolescents. (JPB)

Examines the meaning and application of the principle: "Middle schools exist to meet the needs of young adolescents." Maintains that needs of adolescents depend on more than their common age range. Suggests that hierarchical educational organizations are not designed to meet individual needs and that applying principles of quality management can…

Highlights this journal issue's focus on teaching diverse learners, discusses teaching a common curriculum to students who learn in different ways, and notes that standardized instruction must give way to differentiated instruction. Dedicates issue to Donald Eichhorn, pioneer in middle school educational approaches. (DLH)

Effective youth services are those operated by individuals who care about those they serve, and middle schools are no exception. Developing caring climates, promoting positive self-esteem, and fostering cognitive growth are factors of concern for middle school educators, but academic development remains the primary focus. In providing challenging…

Discusses issues in creating safe and secure learning environments in public schools. Cites anecdotal and statistical evidence of the dangers students present to themselves and others, and briefly considers ways to make schools safe. (JPB)

Discusses the role of middle school curriculum reform, including disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and integrated perspectives, that will improve students' social, intellectual, and personal development. (JPB)

Explores how the middle school concept is designed to make two seemingly contradictory goals compatible, those of providing a common core curriculum while meeting individual needs. Suggests that, similar to team sports or musical groups, it is possible to allow students to exercise personalized choices of how to meet the common objectives of the…

Discusses ways to make middle school classrooms student-friendly by motivating students to take control of their education, understand themselves, and assess their own progress. Notes the teacher's role in this student-centered classroom. (JPB)

Maintains that the No Child Left Behind initiative is a morally neutral force that can be used to ensure that all students learn to their fullest capacities or to reinforce educational inequalities by limiting the curriculum of some students. Expresses fear that middle school curricula in failing schools will be limited to getting students ready…