Identifies features of junior high schools that are undergoing change and those that are enduring; reviews four characteristics that have been sought, and to varying degrees attained, and whether they should continue. Describes three other characteristics that many professionals seek. Concludes with a tentative model of the new middle school that…

In this article, John Lounsbury writes that he believes schools and teachers have been pushed to give so much time and attention to meeting narrow cognitive goals that they have not impacted students as persons and citizens as significantly as they should have. The great concern about preparing students for tomorrow--for high school, college, and…

Challenges middle school teachers to broaden their definitions of both families and the roles that families can play in enhancing middle school effectiveness. Outlines six steps, supported by research from education and business, for recruiting families for middle schools. (15 references) (MLF)

Examines six elements of the transition to middle schools that ultimately hindered full implementation of the middle school concept in many schools: use of an incremental stage implementation model, lack of teacher education programs, lack of curriculum development, inadequate leadership, a paucity of research, and misunderstanding of the middle…

Former middle-school principal's graduation speech to fifth graders and their parents focuses on three areas: students and psychological and physiological changes they will experience; what to expect in middle school (teamwork and advisee-group activities); and secrets for success and happiness. Students and parents are advised to concentrate on…

First in a series of profiles to trace the intellectual roots of the modern middle-school movement through the thoughts and actions of five of its most influential revolutionaries. (seven references) (MLF)

Details changes in programs and practice to improve middle level education. Examines characteristics of developmentally responsive middle schools. Identifies barriers to efforts to provide meaningful learning experiences through curriculum integration. Maintains that changes should revolve around expanding teachers' models of learning to…

Discusses sources of criticism of progressive middle school curriculum reforms that emphasize democratic learning communities, egalitarian methods and attention to emerging learning theory. Notes attempts by political conservatives and religious fundamentalists to undo progressive educational reform, and resistance based on academic success,…

Describes educational and philosophical foundations of the Carolina Friends Middle School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which blends a conception of adolescent development with Quaker beliefs to create a community that values contributions of young people and the ideals of cooperation, responsibility, and communication. Considers the school as a…

Urges renewal and revitalization to sustain middle school reform. Discusses the nature of middle school reform as an ongoing process of refining middle school concepts, practices, or programs to make them better for students. Highlights articles in this issue. (JPB)

Discusses criticism of middle school reform based on questions about the universality and intensity of the characteristics of early adolescence. Suggests ways in which middle school advocates might respond to various criticisms, from using research evidence to supplementing their emphasis on development with a socially conscious commitment to…

Discusses the importance of joining the middle school concept to organizational health and briefly introduces this journal issue's articles on the subject. (EV)

Discusses findings of a study of service-learning programs in middle schools in Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Missouri, particularly noting reasons the programs could be improved to show a greater impact on students. Considers the effects of such programs on students' academic achievement and social development. (JPB)

Examines the correspondence between the middle school concept and Total Quality Management (TQM) principles. Discusses six TQM elements transferred easily into Total Quality Education: build the essence of quality into the process; improvement is a continuous process; quality is defined by the users; base decisions on data; change is systematic;…

Examines five main directions and solutions for the development and delivery of middle level education in New Zealand: (1) intermediate schools becoming middle schools; (2) stand alone four-year middle schools; (3) middle school- within-a-larger school; (4) interschool cooperation; and (5) middle level approaches and methods implemented in…