Written primarily for teachers, this sourcebook explains the characteristics and needs of young adolescents and examines the kinds of curricula and teaching most appropriate for them. Chapter 1 provides definitions, a history of the junior high school, and a discussion of the characteristics of education in the middle years. Chapter 2 describes the physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, and social aspects of the development of young adolescents. Chapter 3 focuses on the needs of students to which middle years education should respond. Chapter 4 covers topics related to teacher performance, including teacher qualities, facilitating student transition from concrete to formal operational thought, individual differences, teacher response to student needs, teaching strategies, organizing active learning, and combining child- and subject-centered approaches to learning. The discussion of the middle years program in chapter 5 points out ways the program can be related to student needs, offers rationales for teaching general studies and learning skills, and suggests ways teachers can promote students' personal growth. Chapters 6 and 7 respectively examine factors relating to student evaluation and discipline, two major concerns of teachers and parents of children in their middle years. In conclusion, chapter 8 deals with the subject of organizing and implementing a successful middle years program. An extensive bibliography is included. (RH)