The Middle School Experience: A Latina Perspective

Abstract

Middle School best practice recommendations are represented in the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Schools to Watch criteria. Middle School best practice appears to be informed by research including samples of policy makers, administrators, teachers and parents. It appears that the student voice may be missing. Extant research suggests that responding to students' perception is critical for learning to take place. This study focused on gathering students' descriptions of their school experiences in an inner city middle school for low income girls. After collecting and analyzing the students' perceptions, the study addressed whether a student sample adds to data gathered from education professionals. Student data was gathered through phenomenological interviews. The sample was selected because its students appear to be overcoming negative outcomes associated with at-risk Latina students.