Research

Members of the National Forum and their organizations conduct research on critical education issues. Below is a brief list of their recent research articles and findings.

Seven Comprehensive School Reform Models that Focus on Middle Schools
The National Forum counts among its membership developers of six comprehensive school reform models aimed at bringing about whole-school change in middle schools. The models include AIM at Middle Grades Results, Different Ways of Knowing, Making Middle Grades Work, Making Schools Work, Middle Start, Talent Development Middle School Model, and Turning Points Transforming Middle Schools. A number of research findings support the effectiveness of these models in improving school and classroom practice. Read profiles of these models, including a summary of the supporting research.

Four Important Lessons About Teacher Professional Development
Based on Mid South Middle Start Self-Study data, this article focuses on an analysis of the 2000/01 teacher professional development data. This reasearch paper written by Steven Mertens, Nancy Flowers, and Peter Mulhall appeared in the May 2002 issue of the Middle School Journal (published by NMSA).

How Familiar are Parents with Middle Level Practices
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Based on Mid South Middle Start Self-Study data, researchers Steven Mertens, Nancy Flowers, and Peter Mulhall focus on an analysis of the 1999/2000 Mid South parent survey data. This article was published in the November 2001 issue of the Middle School Journal (published by NMSA).

School Size Matters in Interesting Ways
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As part of the Middle School Journal's focus on middle school renewal, researchers Steven Mertens, Nancy Flowers, and Peter Mulhall discuss the impact of school size on interdisciplinary teaming, classroom practices, school climate, and student outcomes.