Catalyst of the Middle School Movement: Philosophical Impetus and Practitioner Perceptions From 1955–1969

• In Event: 66.088 - Sheraton Roundtable 13 - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 66.088-3 - Shifting Paradigms of Educational Structures and Pedagogies

Abstract

The middle school movement was a realignment from cognitively focused junior high schools to affectively centered middle schools. It is commonly thought that adolescent educators shifted their focus to the emotional and sociological needs of students, while previously focused on preparation for secondary education. However, this evolution of thought is not displayed through practitioner research published from 1955-1969. During this time educators unswervingly documented the needs of adolescent students varied compared to their older and younger peers. In 1962, at the commencement of the middle school movement, Lev Vygotsky’s literature supporting the social necessities of young adolescents was translated for the Western world. Educators then had the research to support their perspectives and thus began the impetus of progress.

Author

• Tara Ferland, University of Florida