Advisory groups have played an essential role in improving the school climate and conditions for young adolescents in schools. How middle school decision makers go about the process of designing or re-designing an advisory program needs to be considered. A discussion is presented of the background information that helps define advisories. It describes some essential elements in the design of an advisory program, proposes strategies for planners to use in facilitating decision making, and explores possible future directions and alternative strategies for achieving the goals of advisory programs. Chapter 1 looks at the impetus and chronology of advisory programs. Chapter 2 presents a nomenclature to facilitate a discussion about advisory programs. The decision-making process described in Chapter 3 presents a card-sorting activity that allows the planner to articulate their preconceived notions about potential goals, activities, and outcomes of an advisory program. Chapter 4 suggests that students' need for personal and social guidance may be addressed in ways other than what has traditionally been called advisor/advisee. Considering alternative ways can enhance the processes of planning, collaborative decision making, and creative construction that can be the key to success for a program. (Contains 103 references.) (JDM)

Young teens undergo multiple changes that seem to set them apart from other students. But do middle schools actually meet their special needs? The authors describe some of the challenges and offer ways to tackle them, such as reassessing the organization of grades K-12; specifically assisting the students most in need; finding ways to prevent disciplinary problems; and helping parents understand how they can help their children learn at home.