William Alexander has been called the father of the middle school, spearheading the transition from junior highschool to middle school. The difference between the two is more than just a name, the transition came about in the 1960s due to dissatisfactions with the junior high school. Alexander attempted, and many would argue succeeded, in developing a school that achieved educational continuity from early childhood through adolescence. The middle school, as envisioned by Alexander, would link elementary and secondary education with a dynamic program for children in the middle. (Alexander, George, 1981) However, Alexander realized that simply bridging between elementary and high school is not sufficient, he believed that the unique characteristics of the middle school student must be addressed in the learning environment as well. Important things to consider, according to Alexander, of this student are: decision-making, self-directed learning, and Thornburg’s developmental tasks.

Alexander says it best: “The central goal of the middle schools in Alachua county is to assist students in moving forward continuously at their own rates of learning without undue breaks from one level to another. In the best educational program, students should move upward on an inclined plane rather than through a series of graded steps” (Alexander, 1981).

Alexander his written extensively on the topics of secondary schooling, curriculum planning, reading, highschool, and middle school. his seminal book, The Emergent Middle School, published in 1968, addresses the concept of the middle school, and attempts to inform both teachers and administrators of this vision.

In 1981 Alexander, with co-author Paul George wrote the Exemplary Middle School in response to a lack of illustrative practices that were available to middle school teachers, and administrators. The authors intended the book to be used as a basic textbook for students in the field of middle school education.

Although the exact date of publication is unknown, around 1968 Alexander edited and published a book entitled The High School of The Future: A memorial to Kimball Wiles. In the preface, written by Alexander he states that the High School of the Future was a topic very near and dear to Dr. Wiles, and the royalties of the book went to the establishment of the Wiles memorial fund.

Timeline

1934 B.A. Bethel College

1936 M.Ed Peabody College

1940 Ph.D. Columbia

1963 Middle School Movement

1963-77 UF Professor of Education