Through teleconferencing, every school has the potential to dramatically improve the educational opportunities for its students at minimum cost. A telephone with an attached speaker allows an entire room to converse with experts in an author interview, informational conference, or professional enrichment conference. (Author/DCS)

Suggests freshman performance and school climate may dramatically improve if high school principals capitalize on freshmen enthusiasm by establishing a theme for the school year, developing a friendly orientation day, reevaluating the homeroom, and communicating with parents. (DCS)

Describes a high school course in intercultural communication designed for the pilot program at a magnet school for international studies. Emphasizes learning skills rather than information, using an experiential approach. (DCS)

Cooperation between middle level and high school administrators and teachers depends on their awareness of the great diversity of intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development among middle level students. Administrators can then make changes to improve program articulation. (MLF)

Middle school principals should seek to alleviate the frustration of teachers, make efforts to help parents understand preadolescents' development, assist students in their total development, and work at developing a supportive educational climate. (MLF)

Data on teacher-initiated conversations with students revealed the average pattern was approximately two-thirds student interchange and one-third class interchange. Interchanges decreased as the day progressed. Junior high school teachers were more active in verbal interchange with students than elementary teachers were in another study. (MLF)

Describes a data-based, anxiety-reducing supervisory process. Several instruments are presented that can be used by teachers to gather information on their own performance. (MLF)

Middle level principals should take the leadership role now in responding to the issues of (1) reduction of middle level teacher ranks to meet the coming elementary and high school teacher shortage and (2) the need for computer literacy training for teachers. (MLF)

Proposes clustering content areas of a middle school curriculum under humanities, technology, and personal study. An interdisciplinary team planning approach could eliminate the schism between academic and other subjects. (MLF)

Curriculum developers should consider middle level learners' needs for intellectual growth and individual attention and their needs to understand themselves and know others. (MLF)

Middle level students have unique needs that can be met by a school advising program. Outlines the goals and a timeline for implementing an advisory program along with nine components essential to a successful guidance and advisory program. (MLF)

Identifies an instrument for measuring learning styles and explains how its usage can help teachers review and improve instructional procedures. (MLF)

Suggestions are made for implementing programs that enhance students' self-concept and self-esteem. Eight program activities illustrate examples of what principals can do for students in these areas. (MLF)

An essential element of middle schools is a student evaluation procedure compatible with students' needs. The key features of such a marking and reporting system are outlined. (MLF)

Although experts agree about what middle level teacher education programs should include, the majority of middle school teachers do not have specialized training. Middle level mandatory certification is necessary to induce middle school teachers to pursue special training. (MLF)