In short, there are numerous reasons to state the need for intervention of school counselor during the middle years, all of which can be summed up under the discovery that middle school students perform better academically, consider more intensively their future, and possess more achievement -- styled goals when they are in touch with a mentor (Zirkel, 2002). Students, at all ages, make choices, but middle school students are likely, for the first time, to make autonomous and independent choices that may significantly effect the rest of their life. Students seek differentiation from parents, responsibility, and independence, and it is the role of the counselor to assist students with decision-making skills and to help them select choices that are healthy and growth promoting.
Other areas that students need assistance in dealing with are class electorates as well as negotiating their way between multiple teachers and new peer groups. This complex environment, at a vulnerable time in their lives when students ware struggling with puberty and identity issues, makes it crucial that they have a mentor to guide them (Akos, Konold, & Niles, 2004). Receiving this counseling assistance will go further in preventing them from dropping out during their high-school years, for once students have reached high-school age certain problems may be too challenging to reverse.
Some thoughts on methodology
Describe details of your research i.e. terms that you used in conducting research (e.g. high school + students + middle school) inclusion terms (e.g. American) and exclusion terms (e.g. international). Specify and particularize your sample with both inclusion and exclusion terms (e.g. middle class or divers; ages; ethnicity; and so forth) operationalize as thoroughly as possible. Also describe academic bases / search tools that you used (e.g. Google, Lexus Nexus etc.).
Before...
Legum, clearly state in the beginning what your intention is (i.e. "my hypothesis is that receiving counseling during middle school age is essential for later development and may likely prevent students from dropping out in high school and/or from preventing psychosocial problems later on in life. I intend to support this statement by referring to the following articles.."). Throughout, critical evaluation of aspects such as reliability of statistics and evidence, internal and external validity, and soundness of research, and, in general, a critical appraisal, of articles is essential. If done, you are on your way to producing a smashing thesis.
References
Akos, R, Konold, T., & Niles, S. (2004). A career readiness typology and typal membership in middle school. The Career Development Quarterly, 53, 53-66.
Cobb, N. (2001). Adolescence: Continuity, change, and diversity (4th ed.). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
Eccles, J., & Templeton, J. (2002). Extracurricular and other after-school activities for youth. Review of Research in Education, 26, 113-180.
Mahoney, J., Cairns, B., & Farmer, T. (2003). Promoting interpersonal competence and educational success through extracurricular participation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 409-418.
Pruitt, D. (2000). Your adolescent: Emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development from early adolescence through the teen years. Washington, DC: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Wiesner, M., & Ittel, a. (2002). Relations of pubertal timing and depressive symptoms to substance use in early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 22, 5-23.
Zirkel, S. (2002). Is there a place for me? Role models and academic identity among White students and students of color. Teachers College Record, 104, 357-376.
