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The status of middle level education in Indiana

The purpose of the study was to determine the opinions of Indiana middle level principals as to what criteria are most essential for middle level schools. Another purpose of the study was to determine the principals' opinions of middle level teacher certification requirements, current state curriculum requirements, length of school day requirements, and length of school year requirements. The final purpose of the study was to determine any significant relationship between the principals' opinions and the size, setting, and grade level arrangement of the schools in which the respondents worked.A review of the literature revealed a number of criteria deemed essential to middle level schools which became the basis for the study. Fifty-five such criteria were submitted to a panel of experts in middle level education. The validation process produced forty-four criteria considered essential for middle level schools.This list of criteria was included in a questionnaire sent to the principal of each school In Indiana housing some combination of grades five through eight. The principals were asked to select the five criteria from the list they considered most essential and the five least essential to an effective middle level school.Questions were also included dealing with a separate licensing pattern for middle school teachers,''difficulty finding qualified middle school teachers, curriculum requirements, length of school day and length of school year requirements.Respondents were considered as a total sample and also grouped according to school size, school setting (metropolitan, suburban, town and rural), and grade levelarrangement. The demographic data were determine any statistically significant analyzed to relationship between the factors and the principals' opinions. Conclusions1. In identifying criteria most essential for middle level schools, Indiana middle level principals tend to emphasize student discipline, teaching techniques appropriate to student need, a core academic curriculum, recognition of the unique characteristics of middle level students, and opportunities for teachers to work together on curriculum and problem solving.2. In general, Indiana middle level principals do not favor a separate licensing pattern for middle level teachers.3. In general, Indiana middle level principals find the current requirements for middle level school curriculum, length of school day, and length of school year to be adequate. / Department of Educational Administration and Supervision

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/176432
Date January 1988
CreatorsGoodwin, David William
ContributorsSwafford, George E.
Source SetsBall State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Format4, vii, 148 leaves ; 28 cm.
SourceVirtual Press
Coveragen-us-in

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