Leadership in Middle Level Education: A national survey of middle level leaders and schools

Leadership in Middle Level Education: A national survey of middle level leaders and schools
Author: Jerry Valentine
Publisher: National Association of Secondary School Principals(NASSP)
Total Pages: 194
Release: 1993
Genre: Education
ISBN:

The National Association of Secondary School Principals periodically studies practices and characteristics of secondary schools to help inform educators and shape policy. Such studies of middle-level education were conducted in 1966 and 1981. As middle-level education moved into the 1990s, many new questions about education and leadership needed to be asked and old ones revisited: What are the differences in views and preparation of school leaders? Has middle-level school leadership changed? Has the "leadership team" concept emerged? And what middle-level school programs are successful? This study examines these questions by asking middle-level school principals, assistant principals, and leadership team members about personal characteristics, job roles and tasks, and professional beliefs. Also examined are programs, practices, and trends in middle-level schools. Information from this survey of 2,000 middle-level schools in the 1991-92 school year is presented and compared, where applicable, with findings from six previous surveys going back to 1966. In addition to an introduction, this study includes chapters on personal and professional characteristics, school leadership, educational programs, issues and trends, and leadership profiles. An appendix includes sample questionnaires used in the survey. (Contains 34 references.) (JPT)

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education
Author: Steven B. Mertens
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 434
Release: 2005-10-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1607524910

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education provides a comprehensive overview of the field. This publication includes seven anchor essays (5000 words) that cover the following topics: the history of the middle school movement; academically excellent curriculum, instruction, and assessment; developmental responsiveness in relation to young adolescents; social equity in middle grades schools; leadership in middle level schools; teacher and administrator preparation and professional development; and future directions in relation to the movement, practices, and policy. Leading scholars in the field of middle grades education were invited to author these essays. In addition to the seven anchor essays, the encyclopedia contains alphabetically organized entries (short entries approximately 500 words; long entries approximately 2000 words) that address important concepts, ideas, terms, people, organizations, and seminal publications related to middle grades education. Contributors to the encyclopedia have provided sufficient information so that the reader can place the idea, concept, person, etc. into its proper context in the history of the middle school movement. Entries are meant to be introductory; after an overview of the essentials of the topic the reader is guided to more extensive sources for further investigation. Where appropriate, the reader is also directed to electronic sources such as websites where additional information can be retrieved.

Literature Reviews in Support of the Middle Level Education Research Agenda

Literature Reviews in Support of the Middle Level Education Research Agenda
Author: Steven B. Mertens
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2018-04-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1641132590

In 2015-16, the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group (MLER SIG), an affiliate of the American Educational Research Association, undertook a collaborative project—the development of a new middle grades education research agenda. The purpose of the MLER SIG Research Agenda (Mertens et al., 2016) was to develop a set of questions that would guide the direction of middle grades education research. Ideally, this Research Agenda would serve to prompt discourse and generate research projects that could contribute to the middle grades knowledge base. Members of the MLER SIG identified eight research areas: (a) young adolescent development, (b) cultural responsiveness, (c) special populations, (d) educator development, (e) curriculum, (f) social and emotional learning, (g) digital technologies, and (h) school structures. This volume contains the extensive literature reviews and subsequent research questions for each of the research topics.

Leaders for a Movement

Leaders for a Movement
Author: Vincent A. Anfara
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 490
Release: 2003-10-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1607528991

This volume in The Handbook of Research on Middle Level Education gives an introduction to professional preparation and development of middle level teachers and administrators.

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education (2nd ed.)

The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education (2nd ed.)
Author: Steven B. Mertens
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 471
Release: 2016-08-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1681235714

The second edition of The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education has been revised, updated, and expanded since its original publication in 2005. The Encyclopedia is a comprehensive overview of the field; it contains alphabetically organized entries that address important concepts, ideas, terms, people, organizations, publications, and research studies specifically related to middle grades education. This edition contains over 210 entries from nearly 160 expert contributors, this is a 25% increase in the number of entries over the first edition. The Encyclopedia is aimed at a general audience including undergraduate students in middle?level teacher preparation programs, graduate students, higher education faculty, and practitioners and administrators. The comprehensive list of entries are comprised of both short entries (500 words) and longer entries (2000 words). A significant number of entries appearing in the first edition have been revised and updated. Citations and references are provided for each entry.

A National Study of Leadership in Middle Level Schools. Volume I

A National Study of Leadership in Middle Level Schools. Volume I
Author: Jerry W. Valentine
Publisher:
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2002
Genre: Middle schools
ISBN:

As U.S. education embarks on a new century and new millennium, a "middle level" of education is firmly entrenched in the organizational and programmatic operations of school systems across the country. This study, purposefully conducted at the turn of the millennium, provides important insights about the progress of middle-level education, particularly in the last decade. The introduction gives a historical perspective on middle schools in the U.S., the study design, a description of the study population and respondents, and the organization of the report. Chapter 1 provides the context and describes the environment of middle-level schooling. Chapter 2 lays out the different aspects of leadership and leaders of middle-level schools. Chapter 3 brings to light the educational programs and instructional practices. Chapter 4 gives comprehensive school-improvement practices, professional development practices, and Turning Points recommendations. Chapter 5 presents profiles and trends of middle-level schools and school leaders. An appendix contains the Phase One survey instrument for a national study of leadership in middle-level schools. (Contains 110 references.) (RT)

JSL Vol 26-N3

JSL Vol 26-N3
Author: JOURNAL OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 181
Release: 2016-06-27
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1475828934

JSL invites the submission of manuscripts that contribute to the exchange of ideas and scholarship about schools and leadership. All theoretical and methological approaches are welcome. We do not advocate or practice a bias toward any mode of inquiry (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative; empirical vs. conceptual; discipline-based vs. interdisciplinary) and instead operate from the assumption that all careful and methodologically sound research has the potential to contribute to our understanding of school leadership. We strongly encourage authors to consider both the local and global implications of their work. The journal’s goal is to clearly communicate with a diverse audience including both school-based and university-based educators. The journal embraces a board conception of school leadership and welcomes manuscripts that reflect the diversity of ways in which this term is understood. The journal is interested not only in manuscripts that focus on administrative leadership in schools and school districts, but also in manuscripts that inquire about teacher, student, parent, and community leadership.

Making the Most of Middle School

Making the Most of Middle School
Author: Anthony Wells Jackson
Publisher: Teachers College Press
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2004
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780807744765

This breakthrough guide offers sound advice for choosing the right middle school and for working with teachers and principals. It describes, in the students' own words, what they think about a range of issues, such as favourite and least favourite subjects, school safety, teacher quality, peer pressure, and parent-child relationships, and includes examples of effective parent/middle school partnerships.

As He Saw It

As He Saw It
Author: Steven B. Mertens
Publisher: IAP
Total Pages: 243
Release: 2021-04-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1648024521

In April 2020, middle level education lost one of its most ardent and influential advocates with the passing of Dr. John H. Lounsbury. His career of more than 70 years focused on providing young adolescents with a developmentally appropriate educational program. He is recognized as one of the founders of the modern middle school movement and a founding member of the National Middle School Association, now the Association for Middle Level Education. Through his efforts as an educator, writer, editor, and researcher, John served as a mentor and inspiration to many. John’s writings and mentorship continue to influence generations of middle level teachers, colleagues, researchers, and advocates. His legend lives on as we continue his work to improve the lives and educational experiences of young adolescents. This tribute volume is a collection of stories, anecdotes, vignettes, and defining moments that the contributors want to share about Dr. John Lounsbury.

What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner

What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner
Author: Judith L. Irvin
Publisher: National Middle School Association
Total Pages: 388
Release: 1997
Genre: Middle school students
ISBN: 9781560901204

This volume provides recent research findings on important topics related to the still-expanding middle school movement. They are divided into seven parts, addressing teaching/learning, curriculum, teacher education, social context, organization, leaderships, and issues and future directions. Following an introduction to middle level education research, by Irvin and Hough, the chapters are: (1) "Young Adolescent Development" (Eccles and Wigfield); (2) "Enhancing Self-Concept/Self-Esteem in Young Adolescents" (Lipka); (3) "Motivation and Middle School Students" (Anderman and Midgley); (4) "The Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teachers and Students" (Arhar); (5) "Teaching with Time on Your Side: Developing Long-Term Relationships in Schools" (McLaughlin and Doda); (6)"Middle Level Discipline and Young Adolescents: Making the Connection" (Bennett); (7) "Ability Grouping: Issues of Equity and Effectiveness" (Mills); (8) "Differing Perspectives, Common Ground: The Middle School and Gifted Education Relationship" (Rosselli); (9) "Inclusion" (Hines and Johnston); (10) "A Multifaceted Approach to Teaching Limited Proficiency Students" (VanNess and Platt); (11) "Assessment" (Stowell and McDaniel); (12) "Middle Level Competitive Sports Programs" (Swaim and McEwin); (13) "Middle Level Curriculum's Serendipitous History" (Toepfer); (14) "Effects of Integrative Curriculum and Instruction" (Vars); (15) "Curriculum for Whom?" (Brazee); (16) "Curriculum for What? The Search for Curriculum Purposes for Middle Level Students" (Beane); (17) "Current Issues and Research in Middle Level Curriculum: On Conversations, Semantics, and Roots" (Powell and Faircloth); (18) "Middle Level Teacher Preparation and Licensure" (McEwin and Dickinson); (19) "Multicultural Issues in Middle Level Teacher Education" (Hart); (20) "Improving Urban Schools: Developing the Talents of Students Placed at Risk" (Mac Iver and Plank); (21) "Service Learning and Young Adolescent Development: A Good Fit" (Schine); (22) "Home-School Partnerships: A Critical Link" (Brough); (23) "Organizational Trends and Practices in Middle Level Schools" (Valentine and Whitaker); (24) "A Bona Fide Middle School: Programs, Policy, Practice, and Grade Span Configurations" (Hough); (25) "Components of Effective Teams" (Trimble); (26) "Transition into and out of Middle School" (Mizelle and Mullins); (27) "Collaboration and Teacher Empowerment: Implications for School Leaders" (Clark and Clark); (28) "Women in Leadership Roles" (Clark and Clark); (29) "The Middle Level Principalship" (Valentine, Trimble, and Whitaker); and (30) "Setting a Research Agenda" (Hough and Irvin). Each chapter contains references. (HTH)