Exemplary middle schools have a variety of programs that support students' needs and help them adjust socially and emotionally; advisory programs can be one structure to effectively provide some of this support. This article shares the story of how a group of middle level teachers and teacher leaders within a culturally diverse school reclaimed…

Despite reticence from the central office, strong middle level teacher leaders worked together to develop an effective anti-bullying program that addresses a significant need for safety and inclusion for all middle school students. This article describes how one teacher's concerns changed her school's attitude with regard to bullying from assuming…

Describes a program for helping middle school dropouts to enter high school. Details the process for assessing program need; recaps efforts to include younger dropouts in a program; and reports success in determining a solution to the problem of overage students in middle school. Lists 13 program strengths and four criteria for gauging success.…

Explores student and teacher views about an advisor-advisee program being conducted in a rural midwestern middle school. Although teachers overwhelmingly supported the advisory concept, they (as well as students) made several suggestions for improving the school's program: eliminating a controversial Positive Action program; removing disruptive…

Describes a principal-initiated advisory program at a Toronto middle school. Summarizes successful program elements, including a 6-month planning period; a staff-supported inservice program offering training in team-building and adolescent development; daily advisory group meetings, with maximum group size of 15 students, who retain the same…

Buoyed by the success of an informal, unexpected "pilot study" using sign language and Spanish and a challenge from a university colleague, a Florida middle-school teacher expanded the use of second languages in her classes. An ensuing study involving 115 eighth graders showed a positive change in students' attitudes toward foreign…

Describes a partnership involving North Carolina middle school and Weck Industry, a surgical instrument manufacturing company. Steering committee generated ideas to improve curriculum, student services, and teacher services. Several curriculum-related recommendations have been carried out the first year, including a speakers' bureau, facility…

Details development of "Fridays at the College" program in which middle school students and their teachers participate in enrichment programs lead by college professors. Discusses the evolution, goals, structure, and benefits of the program, as well as the advisory period that focuses on student development. Provides a model of college…

Considers some of the groundwork affecting the foundations of advisory programs in middle schools, focusing on key decisions made in the planning stages of the program. Presents an advisory typology that can be used to compare existing programs, design a new program, or evaluate and renovate an existing program. (KB)

Describes the development of an educative community called Project SUCCESS (Schools, Universities, Community, Committed to Excellence in Service and Scholastics), considering the start-up, growth, and mature stage of the project. Discusses the need for educative communities that involve inter-institutional collaboration. (JPB)

Student advisories provide adolescents with the opportunity to practice life skills such as self-assessment, communication, problem solving, and conflict management. Steps in the development of an urban school advisory program include the following: (1) development of mission statement and goals; (2) gaining program support; (3) assessing student…

Describes an Adopt-a-Grandparent program involving seventh-grade students and area senior citizens. Describes aspects of program implementation and organization, including advance preparation, contacting and meeting grandparents, funding, and visits. Discusses program outcomes, including behavioral observations, studies related to…

Introduces standards-based middle grades mathematics instructional materials designed to engage and challenge students in mathematical investigation. Details the challenges of change for teachers, administrators, parents, and students. Highlights a study of the Missouri Middle School Mathematics Project, which implemented one of the NSF curricula,…

Discusses collaboration between a teacher and an education professor in developing and implementing a new reading/language-arts program in a fifth-grade classroom. The move from a traditional basal reading and language-arts textbook approach to one using novels and process writing meant many changes for both teacher and students. An Author's…

Describes a middle school comprehensive literature program designed to improve the reading skills of at-risk students. Notes program goals and components, including the literature teaching team, the special reading room, book discussions, reading club, media center, computer lab, and tutorials. (JPB)