In "This We Believe," a National Middle School Association position paper revised in 1995, 12 beliefs were identified that would "clarify a vision that will guide the decisions of those responsible for determining young adolescent educational programs." Middle schools across the country have used these beliefs as guidelines.…

Most teenagers are hungry for more interactions with adults and for new, challenging experiences. The community-school approach supports young people's academic, social, and interpersonal goals by creating learning and caring connections in and out of class, before and after school, using a community's total resources. (MLH)

Describes a system for dealing effectively with middle school students' learning and behavior problems through a team approach. (Author/DS)

This survey of South Dakota teachers clearly indicates that teachers expect their principals to play an important leadership role in helping them improve instruction through inservice education. Effective inservice education programs include staff involvement in planning, strong commitment from the principal, and program evaluation. (Author)

The author describes the Medina Senior High School (New York) program to improve student motivation and achievement by positive reinforcement of accomplishment. (DS)

Describes a pilot program in small-group counseling designed primarily as a corrective program for junior high students with serious behavior problems. It attempts to make wholesome changes in student attitudes. (Author/IRT)

Asserts that, in the quest for educational excellence, the highest quality opportunities must be provided for all students. Recommends looking at some of the European nations' educational systems for ideas about guidance methods that place students into appropriate educational programs. (CJH)

Describes how one inner city school involved its teaching staff in developing a plan to improve the learning environment. A "building action plan" was developed to serve as the framework for the school improvement process. (CJH)

Examines the new state-mandated high school graduation tests emerging in response to perceived declines in educational standards. Indicates general consequences for implementing these tests, including public perceptions based on a "box score" mentality. As competency measures, the tests have had little impact on pupils, teachers,…

Discusses teacher-adviser programs tailored to personal learning needs of secondary school students and designed to complement professional counseling services. Outlines the elements of successful advisement programs, highlighting the beneficial effects of teacher-counselor collaboration on school climate, job satisfaction and academic…

Outlines the benefits of community service programs in the schools. Provides a seven-step plan for developing such programs.(MD)

Although the practice is commonplace, the techniques for evaluating principals and assistant principals vary across the country. Four of the most frequently used evaluation processes and procedures are examined, based on case studies of four school districts in Ohio, North Carolina, Idaho, and Alabama respectively. (Author/TE)

Middle-level teachers can avoid passive seatwork and encourage students to think using a "guided thinking" approach, designed to help adolescents develop more sophisticated thinking and reasoning skills. Essential elements of guided thinking are described, along with an implementation strategy and the principal's role in fostering…

A Vermont high school has developed a series of graduate-level inservice courses to introduce teachers to computers in a systematic, cost-effective way. Course offerings include software evaluation, computer literacy, educational uses of the computer, LOGO, and BASIC. (TE)

An inhouse student scheduling and information system facilitated the successful reorganization of a Massachusetts high school to a four-year program. (MJL)