A Vermont middle school, a grade 7-8 union (regional) school, developed an orientation program to meet the needs of over 300 incoming seventh-grade students coming from 9 elementary schools in 5 different districts, plus a parochial school. The program is planned by a coordinating council and a student-guidance team; emphasis is on clear-cut…

When transitional programs are left to chance, there is no guarantee that such programs will be effective. This article describes two articulation teams' efforts to meet the needs of students entering and leaving a Baltimore, Maryland, middle school. The two-tiered program helped relieve students' anxieties, introduced them to teachers and staff,…

Beginning middle-level teachers face numerous challenges, including becoming productive team members, designing and implementing interdisciplinary instruction units, serving as effective student advisors, and developing consistent disciplinary models. A formal mentoring programs can help beginning teachers meet these challenges and develop…

Educators at a West Hartford, Connecticut, middle school continually "sell" this large school to the community, enlighten parents about its programs and practices, and welcome more than 300 fifth graders from 5 diverse neighborhood schools yearly. The transition program begins in March and progresses through eight months of activities,…

A Missouri middle school's transition program is based on the idea that parents need as much information as possible about the high school and middle school to ensure student success. The middle school transition is aided by school/PTA newsletters, social and informational activities for fifth graders' parents, student visits, and a handbook.…

A Tacoma, Washington, high school eases middle schoolers' transition to high school via the "Freshman Getaway," a 12-hour event in July that combines a traditional high school orientation with food, fun, entertainment, and some bonding and school-culture transmission. Each year, this event meets educators' goals by promoting respect for…

Because of changes in the family and other institutions, schools must fill the void created by students' lack of affective development before genuine learning can occur. This article provides guidelines for developing and implementing an advisory program for middle school students that successfully combines the elementary school's child-centered…

Summarizes results of an NASSP-sponsored, 3-year study of the K-12 transition process in 7 demonstration centers representing various types of school districts. Findings showed that middle school transitions were crucial. The most critical elements of this transition process are communication, cooperation, consensus, and commitment of school…

Although current middle-level philosophy recommends a carefully planned transition between schools, many elementary school students continue to leave cohesive, self-contained classrooms for quasi-departmentalized middle schools with continuously changing class membership. A two-phase pilot study showed that (male) students in a constant-membership…

Prospective students and their parents need as much information as possible about a school's programs, staff, administration, and expectations. One Missouri middle school begins its orientation program with a school/PTA newsletter and a coffee for parents of fifth graders. Simultaneously, the middle school works with the local high school to…

To address the retained-student dropout rate and increase parent involvement, a Fort Lauderdale (Florida) middle school principal devised a program to help overage seventh graders catch up with their peers in one year and help parents achieve their own education goals. The Rogers' Achievement Program stresses basic skills, student-designed…

Examines ways to strengthen the middle school's relationship with parents of special needs adolescents. Focuses on establishing a transition plan between elementary and middle school, maintaining ongoing communication with families, providing a variety of advisory options, and generating a school climate of acceptance for all students and…

Describes the Inverness Center in Baltimore, an alternative education institution for students unable to succeed in a regular classroom setting. Explains that services offered include therapeutic service, educational remediation, and life skills. Details the center's organization, programs, and services; its academics; and the behavior…