Book Description
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)
