Research

Integrated Reading and Language Arts Instruction

The goal of the middle school organization is to create a learning environment that matches the developmental abilities and needs of young adolescents. This research attempts to operationalize that goal by integrating reading and English classes in large urban middle schools. The Student Team Reading and Writing (STRW) program reconfigured instruction to actively engage students

Read More… from Integrated Reading and Language Arts Instruction

Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaching Team Configuration upon the Social Bonding of Middle School Students

This study compared two configurations of sixth-grade students and core teachers to measure the students’ perceived levels of social bonding with their peers, their school, and their teachers. One configuration featured a team of four teachers, each specializing in a core subject area and teaching this subject to all 100 students on the team. The

Read More… from Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaching Team Configuration upon the Social Bonding of Middle School Students

Improving Classroom Instruction: Understanding the Developmental Nature of Analyzing Primary Sources

Authentic and constructive learning experiences that include analysis of primary source documents are necessary elements of effective social studies teaching (Bailyn, 1994; Leinhardt, Stainton, & Virji, 1994; Wineburg & Wilson, 1991; Young & Leinhardt, 1998). This study examines the abilities of 70 fifth and seventh grade students to complete individual and multiple primary source document

Read More… from Improving Classroom Instruction: Understanding the Developmental Nature of Analyzing Primary Sources

Key Characteristics of Middle School Performance

This research project examined student performance in middle schools with a grade configuration of six through eight. Schools were categorized into two groups: high-performing middle schools—middle schools making adequate yearly progress for two consecutive school years, and low-performing middle schools—middle schools not making adequate yearly progress for two consecutive school years. Participants included 283 middle

Read More… from Key Characteristics of Middle School Performance

Comparison of Student Learning Outcomes in Middle School Science Classes with an STS Approach and a Typical Textbook Dominated Approach

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Science, Technology, and Society (STS) learning increases student concept mastery, general science achievement, use of concepts in new situations, and attitudes toward science in middle school classrooms. The study involved two teachers and fifty-two students in grades 6 through 8. Two sections of middle school science

Read More… from Comparison of Student Learning Outcomes in Middle School Science Classes with an STS Approach and a Typical Textbook Dominated Approach

Early Predictors of School Performance Declines at School Transition Points

This longitudinal study followed students (n =265) from kindergarten through seventh grade and examined early social and academic predictors of school performance at two normative school transitions. Questions addressed include: (a) are there changes in students’ school performance over time, especially at school transition points; (b) are changes in school performance dependent on sociodemographic factors;

Read More… from Early Predictors of School Performance Declines at School Transition Points