Access to Resources


On the Web


MiddleWeb
www.middleweb.com

This site houses a large collection of reform-oriented materials and hundreds of articles and links about curriculum, teaching strategies, teacher professional development, parent involvement, and classroom assessment. An easy to use search tool makes MiddleWeb an excellent place for finding current research on middle school issues. MiddleWeb is produced by the Focused Reporting Project with financial support from the Program for Student Achievement of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation.

National Middle School Association
www.nmsa.org

Established in 1973, NMSA serves as a voice for professionals, parents, and others interested in the educational and developmental needs of young adolescents. The NMSA web site includes information about professional development opportunities, NMSA conferences, and an extensive list of books and research summaries that can be ordered online. You can also find out how to become a member of NMSA.

In Print


Best Practices from America's Middle Schools
By Charles R. Watson, 1999

This directory contains profiles of sixty innovative middle school programs and practices that relate to instructional strategies, assessment, students at risk, parent and community partnerships, and staff development.

Eye On Education
6 depot Way West
Suite 106, Larchmont, NY 10538
(914) 833-0551, fax (914) 833-0761
www.eyeoneducation.com

The Exemplary Middle School
By Paul S. George & William Alexander, 1993

A widely respected comprehensive middle school text, this book combines theory and examples from the field. It includes chapters on curriculum, instruction, the teacher as advisor, interdisciplinary teams, scheduling, and leadership.

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers
(800) 245-8744, fax (800) 433-6303
www.hbcollege.com.
The book is also available from the National Middle School Association.

The Middle School And Beyond
By Paul S. George, Chris Stevenson, Julia Thomason & James Beane, 1992

Through numerous vignettes the authors describe how middle schools are focusing on youngsters' needs first, accommodating diversity, integrating the curriculum, emphasizing a close-knit school community, and creating the kinds of learning experiences that breed excellence.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
1703 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 933-2723, fax (703) 575-5400
www.ascd.org

Transforming Middle Schools: A Guide to Whole-School Change
By Barry Raebeck, 1998

This books begins with an overview of how schools have failed to use the latest ideas and technologies in educating students and how schools can draw on pragmatic idealism to teach children in a fragmented society. It presents ways to build education teams, create flexible schedules, and integrate curriculum. The author also discusses grading and alternative assessments as well as grouping students for success.

Technomic Publishing Company
851 New Holland Avenue
Box 3535, Lancaster, PA 17604
(800) 233-9936, fax (717) 295-4538
marketing@techpub.com
www.techpub.com

Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century
Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 1989

The Task Force on Education of Young Adolescents examined how well middle grade schools, health institutions, and community organizations served America's middle grade students. Although published in 1989, the task force recommendations continue to guide middle school reform.

Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development
P.O. Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604
(800) 998-2269.
The report is also available from the National Middle School Association.

What Works in the Middle: Results-Based Staff Development for the Middle Grades
National Staff Development Council (NSDC)

A two-year study by the Results-Based Staff Development for the Middle Grades project has identified 26 exemplary staff development programs. The study sought to identify those programs that demonstrated improved student achievement by improving teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical skills in the core content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

NSDC
Box 240
Oxford, OH 45056
(800) 727-7288, fax (513) 523-0638
www.nsdc.com




Math and Science Curriculum Middle Grades Mathematics Textbooks: A Benchmarks-Based Evaluation
Project 2061, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1999

This publication is the first in a planned series of reports on evaluations of mathematics and science textbooks, using the Project 2061 curriculum-materials analysis procedure. It includes findings from a rigorous evaluation of 12 middle school mathematics textbooks. Four recently published series received high ratings:

  • Connected Mathematics (Michigan State University) Cuisenaire-Dale Seymour Publications

  • Mathematics in Context (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation

  • MathScape (Education Development Center) Creative Publications

  • Middle Grades Math Thematics (University of Montana) McDougal Littell
  • The report, along with a companion CD-ROM containing a searchable collection of evaluation data, will be available in July 1999.

    American Association for the Advancement of Science
    Project 2061, 1333 H Street, NW,
    Washington, DC 20005
    (202) 326-6666
    project2061.aaas.org
    project2061.aaas.org

    Show-Me Center

    This national center is dedicated to informing teachers, parents, and administrators about middle grade mathematics instruc-tional materials that embody the vision of the NCTM standards. The center is supported by the National Science Foundation.

    University of Missouri
    104 Stewart Hall
    Columbia, MO 65211
    (573) 884-2099, fax (573) 882-4481
    center@showme.missouri.edu
    showmecenter.missouri.edu

    Middle School Science & Technology
    BSCS

    This three-year, activity-based middle school program for grades 6­8 focuses on the development of the early adolescent, illustrates careers in science, and emphasizes reasoning and critical thinking. The content is structured around major themes of patterns of change, diversity and limits, and systems and change.

    Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
    4050 Westmark Drive
    Dubuque, IA 52002

    (800) 770-3544, fax (800) 772-9165
    www.kendallhunt.com

    PRIME Science
    University of California, Berkeley; York University, England

    A program for grades 6­8, PRIME Science coordinates biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics. It uses a broad range of activities and builds upon students everyday experiences. The program is an adaptation of Salter Science, a well-tested British multidisciplinary science program.

    Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
    4050 Westmark Drive
    Dubuque, IA 52002
    (800) 770-3544, fax (800) 772-9165
    www.kendallhunt.com

    Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Design and Implementation
    By Heidi Hayes Jacobs, 1989

    The book presents six design options for an interdisciplinary curriculum and a useful process for integrating the teaching of science, math, language arts, social studies, and the arts. It includes two successful case studies of interdisciplinary programs.

    Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
    1703 North Beauregard Street
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    (800) 933-2723, fax (703) 575-5400
    www.ascd.org


    See pages 3 and 9 for more middle school resources.



    Vol. 4, No. 1, Summer 1999

    In this issue:

    Building A Culture of High Standards in the Middle Grades

    Safe to Be Smart

    Is Your Middle School Ready for Standards-Based Reform?

    A Convocation on TIMSS

    Change is the Order of the Day Here

    Reforms at Boschulte are Part of a National Movement

    Middle Level Education Institute (MLEI)

    Changing the Structure

    Block Scheduling and Team Teaching Resources

    Learners and Leaders: Alliance Schools Institute

    The Hub

    Regional Networks

    Access to Resources

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