ERIC Number: ED226513
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1982
Reference Count: 0
This We Believe.
Lounsbury, John H., Ed.
The essential elements of middle school education are defined in this position paper. After a brief introduction, the pamphlet describes middle schools' rationale, which is based on the uniqueness of "transescence," the period from age 10 to 14 when children are making the transition from childhood to full adolescence. The major physical, social, emotional, social-emotional, and intellectual characteristics of transescent youth are listed. Next the authors enumerate 10 essential elements of a "true" middle school, including educators knowledgeable about and committed to transescents, a balanced curriculum based on transescent needs, a range of organizational arrangements, varied instructional strategies, a full exploratory program, comprehensive advising and counseling, continuous progress for students, evaluation procedures compatible with transescent needs, cooperative planning, and a positive school climate. A brief statement in the pamphlet's final section summarizes the paper. (RW)
Descriptors: Adolescents, Educational Objectives, Individual Development, Institutional Characteristics, Intermediate Grades, Junior High Schools, Middle Schools, Preadolescents
Publications, National Middle School Association, P.O. Box 14882, Columbus, OH 43214 ($3.25; quantity discounts).
Publication Type: Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Middle School Association, Columbus, OH.
Identifiers: This We Believe; Transescents