MLER SIG Research Agenda

Research Agenda 

This 2024 version of the MLER SIG Research Agenda is a product of the SIG’s ongoing commitment to engage in regular reviews of middle grades research. The goal is to summarize the latest research and identify gaps in the field of middle level education. This version builds upon the 2016 MLER SIG Research Agenda, a white paper identifying critical issues and concerns facing the field of middle level education. More than 40 researchers from across the globe collaborated to develop the 2024 agenda for future middle level research that illuminates strategies for moving middle level education forward in support of young adolescents within the current state of affairs. This project highlights eight focus areas: (a) middle grades curriculum; (b) middle grades pedagogies; (c) middle level certification and licensure; (d) middle level leadership; (e) middle level schools, classrooms, culture, and learning environments; (f) middle level teacher development; (g) social and emotional wellbeing; and (h) young adolescent identity and experiences. Below are the products of this multi-year project.

Brinegar, K. M., Moulton, M., Falbe, K. N., Rintamaa, M., & Ellerbrock, C. R. (2024). Navigating Opportunities for Middle Level Education Research: The MLER SIG Research Agenda. RMLE Online, 47(8), 25–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/19404476.2024.2389754

Miller Chat Bot

Do you or graduate students wonder how your personal interests fit into the MLER SIG Research Agenda? Use this AI tool to help find connections with specific research questions. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/aimiller and try it out.

Literature Reviews to Support the Research Agenda

Education Sciences Special Issue

A Framework for Middle Level Curriculum: A Literature Review to Support the Middle Level Education Research Agenda
Weiler, C., Mertens, S. B., Nagle, J., Pettit, S., & Wall, A. (2024). A Framework for Middle Level Curriculum: A Literature Review to Support the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group Research Agenda. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1316. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121316

A Scoping Literature Review on Parent Interactions with  Teachers and SchoolEnvironment at the Middle Level
Pennington, S. E., Tang, J. H., Divoll, K., & Correll, P. (2024). A Scoping Literature Review on Parent Interactions with Teachers and School Environments at the Middle Level. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1364. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121364 

A Systematic Review of LIterature on Student Voice and Agency in Middle Grade Contexts
Schaefer, M. B., Pennington, S. E., Divoli, K., & Tang, J. H. (2024). A systematic review of literature on student voice and agency in middle grade contexts. Education Sciences, 14(9), https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111158

Advancing Middle Grade Research on Critical Pedagogy: Research Synthesis
Walker, A,Yoon, B., & Pankowski, J. (2024). Advancing middle grade research on critical pedagogy: Research synthesis. Education Sciences, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14090997  

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Middle Level TEacher Development: A Research Synthesis
Shockley, E. T., Wall, A., & Pettit, S. K. (2024). Curriculum, instruction, and assessment in middle level teacher development: A research synthesis. Education Sciences, 14(9), https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111168  

Middle-Level Teacher Certification/Licensure: Current Status and Future Directions  

Dever, R., Hurd, E., Miller, N. C., & Whitaker, N. (2024). Middle-Level Teacher Certification/Licensure: Current Status and Future Directions. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1303. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121303

Middle Level Teacher Development for Advocacy: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Smith, K.W.; Andrews, P.G.; DeMink-Carthew, J. (2024). Middle level teacher development for advocacy: A systematic review of the literature. Education Sciences.14(9), https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101086

Multimodal Resources and Approaches for Teaching Young Adolescents: A Review of the Literature
Linder, R., & Falk-Ross, F. (2024). Multimodal resources and approaches for teaching young adolescents: A review of the literature. Education Sciences, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14091010  

Online Pedagogies and the Middle Grades: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Eisenbach, B., & Coleman, B.. (2024). Online pedagogies and the middle grades: A scoping review of the literature. Education Sciences, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14091017 

The Importance of Social and Emotional Skills During Adolescence to Promote a Positive Social Identity: A Systematic Literature Review and Reflection Using Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory

Main, K., Bouton, B. D., Pendergast, D., & Whitaker, N. (2025). The Importance of Social and Emotional Skills During Adolescence to Promote a Positive Social Identity: A Systematic Literature Review and Reflection Using Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory. Education Sciences, 15(2), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020258 

Understanding Young Adolescent Identity and Experiences Through Internal Dimensions: A Scoping Review

Martin, D. J., Pettit, S. K., Stacki, S. L., Smith, K. W., & Caskey, M. M. (2025). Understanding Young Adolescent Identity and Experiences Through Internal Dimensions: A Scoping Review. Education Sciences, 15(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020253