Making a Difference: Action Research in Middle Level Education(The Handbook of Research in Middle Level Education)

Volume V of The Handbook of Research in Middle Level Education highlights action research in middle grades education. As a method of inquiry, action research compels educators to take action and think reflectively about those actions in order to effect positive educational change (Mills, 2000). Teachers, administrators, university professors, and other professionals conduct action research in different ways to examine classroom practices and school issues. Educational action researchers initiate their inquiries in various contexts: alone, in small peer teams, or larger faculty groups (Zeichner, 2001). Using individual and collaborative approaches, educators gain insights into teaching and learning processes. As evidenced throughout this volume, action research in the middle grades occurs in a variety configurations. This volume examines the dynamic ways that preservice and inservice teachers, school administrators, university faculty, and educational consortia use action research.

Table of Contents:
Foreword, Sue Swaim. Introduction: Taking Action in Middle Level Education. Micki M. Caskey. Action Research for Middle Level Educational Professionals. Joanne M. Arhar. Effects of Young Adolescents' Perceived Motivators on Academic Achievement and Self-Efficacy. Laila Y. Sanguras. The Use of Manipulatives in Mathematics. Theresa A. Shrum. Teacher Collaboration: The Missing Link in Inclusive Education. Diane Stanton. Experiencing Action Research: A Preservice Collaborative Team Studies a Middle School in Crisis, Sandra L. Stacki. On the Job Training: Action Research in a Middle Level Alternative Certification Program. Melinda Wilder, Dorie Combs, and Cynthia Resor. Using Action Research for Aspiring Middle Level Administrators: Going Beyond the Traditional Practicum Experience. Sue C. Thompson, Larry Gregg, and Loyce Caruthers. Selecting Master Teachers in a Professional Development School: Inquiry and Action using Peer Evaluation. Holly J. Thorton. Creating Effective Middle Schools through Inquiry: Conversations with Practitioners, Heidi Bulmahn Barker and Carole Basile. ""Just Pretending to Read""; Teaching Middle School Students to be Strategic Readers. Penny A. Bishop, Nick Boke, Susanna W. Pflaum, and Ned Kirsch. Collaborative Team Action Research in the Middle Grades: A Tool for Professional Development. Dan R. Saurino, Penelope L. Saurino, and Linda Crawford. Framing an Urban School-University Partnership: A Critical Analysis. Kathleen F. Malu. Using Research to Refine School Improvement in the Middle-Grades: Perspectives from Middle Start. Pritha Gopalan, Teri West, Patrick Montesano, and Steve Hoelscher, Recommendations and Resources for Action Research. Micki M. Caskey. About the Authors. Index.