A Topical Analysis of Middle Grades Research From 2000 to the Present

• In Event: Comprehensive and Critical Review of Current Middle-Level Research and Practice

Abstract

Purpose

This historical research aims to capture a clearer understanding of the most widely researched topics in middle level education since 2000. This paper describes a thematic analysis of research studies that have been published in four significant sources: Middle Grades Research Journal (MGRJ), Research in Middle Level Education (RMLE) Online, the Handbooks of Research in Middle Level Education, and the Middle School Journal (MSJ). Research questions include:

1)What are the research topics that emerge from a literature review of four significant publications: MGRJ, RMLE Online, the Handbook Series and MSJ?

2)How do the research topics interface among the three journals? Are there similarities in the publications of certain themes during a specific time period?

3)How do these topics align with national school reform during this time period?

Perspectives

This study explores recent middle school research through a review and critical analysis (Carr and Kemmis, 2004) of significant middle grades publications. Onwugbuzie, Leech, & Collins (2012) explain of the role of qualitative reviews of literature as being important in identifying the connection among research, concepts, and practice.

Methodology and Data Sources

In reviewing the literature, the four publications named above were chosen because of their endorsement by the Middle Level Education Research (MLER) Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and/or the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). A phenomenological approach of identifying themes in the research was used, allowing for themes to emerge organically (Merriam, 2009) as they related to middle level education.

Findings

The following chart describes the initial findings of this research. On the left side are the themes that repeatedly surfaced in the three journals, and on the right side are expanded descriptions of each.

Middle Level Theme Expanded Description

1) Diversity:Gender, Race, Social Class, Special Education, Disabilities, and English Language Learners

2) Organization:School or classroom climate, policies, teaming, teacher advisory, and interrelationships between students, teachers, administrators, and community members

3) Reading:Topics of vocabulary, fluency, reading strategies, and reading comprehension

4) Curriculum & Instruction:Topics of content areas, professional development, and pedagogy

5) Alternative Programs:Issues related to summer school or after school programs

6) Middle School Reform:Issues related to exemplar middle level schools, practices, leadership, and policies

7) Teacher Effectiveness: Topics of professional development and instruction

8) Adolescent Development: Topics of moral reasoning, conflict resolution, identity, agency, motivation, and engagement

9)Teacher Education: Issues related to Pre-Service teachers and reflection

10)Student Voice: Middle grades students’ perceptions, attitudes, and personal agency on educational topics

11) Community Issues related to parents, families, and community members

12) Assessment: Evaluations of a preventive or predictive nature

13) 21st Century Literacy:Literacy technology

Significance

Many middle grades researchers and practitioners rely on these four publications to ground their work. Identifying trends and themes in the topics published and their relationship to current school reform initiatives will illuminate both directions for further research and significant topics and issues affecting middle grades practice that are not currently represented in the publications.

Author

• Kathleen Marie Brinegar, Johnson State College