Feedback is a powerful means for promoting learning, but not all forms of feedback are equally effective. Guided by a large body of feedback research, we argue that personalized feedback provides a particularly important opportunity for enhancing motivation and achievement among middle school students. In this article, we review the extant…

Middle level students classified as at-risk may benefit from a mentoring relationship to help them during this transitionary period of adolescence. Prior research findings highlight the benefits of mentoring programs for both mentors and mentees. This article provides a review of literature in mentoring programs and discusses a specific example of…

Forming teams is the logical first step in the transition to middle school from junior high school. Offers 10 questions that middle-level educators should ask as they embark upon this new venture of interdisciplinary teaming. (13 references) (MLF)

Through a review of the transition literature and a survey of 225 students about to enter middle school, the most significant anxieties identified were the following: (1) space concerns about a new and larger building, especially getting lost and being late to class; (2) contact with older and possibly rougher students; and (3) heavy homework…

Results of a recent study indicate that, when students write about relevant, personal experiences prior to reading a literary text, their understanding and engagement in the text are significantly improved. Recommends autobiographical writing before a reading assignment. (22 references) (MLF)

Cites three critical questions to examine reasons for inconclusive findings relating middle school practices recommended in "Turning Points" to student achievement: (1) shortcomings in operationalizing variables; (2) what is measured; or (3) uncontrolled variables. Notes schools implementing more "Turning Points"…

Cites 16 recent documents and journals from the ERIC database that highlight problems and successes of inclusion in middle-level education. (LBT)

Discusses: (1) "Growing Pains: The Making of America's Middle School Teachers" (McEwin and Scales); (2) "The Professional Preparation of Middle School Teachers: Profiles of Successful Programs" (McEwin and Dickinson); (3) "A Vision of Excellence: Organizing Principles for Middle Grades Teacher Education" (McEwin, Dickinson, Erb, and Scales); and…

Summarizes research relating to young adolescent's transitions into high school. Notes studies suggesting it is time for educators to reemphasize articulation as a function of middle level education to assist these transitions. (JPB)

Examines strategies for becoming a reflective teacher at the middle school level. Includes discussion of research on espoused theories of teaching, journal writing, cognitive coaching with peers, and action research projects. Encourages middle school educators working in teams to make the effort to become active reflective practitioners. (KB)

Provides an overview of the literature that has historically framed debates between gifted education and middle grades education. Discusses research that seeks common ground between the two fields, considering the implications for middle school education policies and practices that provide for the needs of high ability students. (JPB)

Describes the rationale for multiage groupings and reviews the major research studies and syntheses associated with this innovation in middle schools. (JPB)

Discusses the problems inherent to between-class ability grouping in middle schools. Reviews studies that question the practice of tracking and demonstrate this organizational technique to have little value. (JPB)

Addresses the problem of declining parental involvement as children progress through school, and argues that middle grade educators bear the responsibility for determining reasons for parental non-involvement and being proactive in fostering such involvement. Discusses deterrents to involvement, varying descriptors of involvement, and steps middle…

Describes approaches for solving the problem of students' declining motivation and performance when they move to middle-level schools. Urges educators to examine school policies, practices, and procedures, and to make changes that will make it very clear to students that effort, challenge, improvement, and mastery are the goals of schooling. (16…