This paper is a summary of a review of literature carried out in 2007 for the Ministry of Education by Dinham and Rowe of the Australian Council for Educational Research. Their review, and the summary presented here, are components of a Ministry research programme focused on teaching and learning in the middle schooling years. Other projects within the programme include: a "Study of Students’ Transition from Primary to Secondary Schooling"; an investigation of the skills, knowledge and values that may be required by teachers to most effectively meet the needs of Years 7 to 10 students; and an in-depth analysis of ‘student engagement’ during the middle schooling years.
Purpose
The review document provides a valuable ‘way in’ to increasing understanding about the thinking behind or rationale for the concept of ‘middle schooling’, and what has been learned about factors involved in effective teaching and learning practice for ‘middle years’ students. It also highlights issues and concerns for consideration, and suggests ideas, as well as cautions, regarding ‘next steps’ for research, policy, and practice in middle schooling.