The Middle School: A Bridge Between Elementary and Secondary Schools. What Research Says to the Teacher

The emerging middle school movement throughout the United States today is in part an effort to rediscover, redefine, revamp, and reintroduce the basic pedagogical principles of adolescent learning upon which the junior high school was established almost seventy years ago. Proponents of the middle school support the rationale that children 10 to 14 years old constitute a distinct stage of development involving similar physical, emotional, social, and mental characteristics. Since there are no specific or mandated middle school polices, many middle schools or transformed junior highs have the opportunity to become unique institutions. Individualized instruction and team teaching are two techniques that are successfully utilized. The uniqueness of the middle school is reflected in the various duties of the classroom teacher which may include serving as a teacher-advisor, resource person, tutor, curriculum planner, seminar director, and teacher of large and small group sessions. Middle schools have both the responsibility and the opportunity to develop career education for student investigation and exploration. When advance planning is possible, most school districts develop a step-by-step procedure or master plan for the construction of a new middle school building and the implementation of a middle school program within the facility. A preliminary planning questionnaire for a middle school action workshop and a general planning outline for a school district are provided in the appendixes. Also given is a list of selected research references. (SK)