Editorial Policy & Guidelines for Authors

Middle School Journal, a refereed journal, is an official publication of National Middle School Association. Middle School Journal has a circulation of over 34,000 and is published five times during the school year—September, November, January, March, and May. The Journal publishes articles that promote middle level education and contribute to an understanding of the educational and developmental needs of youth between the ages of 10 and 15. Articles submitted should specifically relate to the theory and practice of middle level education and should speak directly to practitioners in the field. Articles relating to at least one of the 14 characteristics of successful schools for young adolescents as discussed in This We Believe are preferred. The Journal seeks reports of successful programs, descriptions of effective techniques, thought-provoking essays, and application of research. The editor especially welcomes articles that focus on middle level schooling in urban settings and in rural or small schools.

Authors are encouraged to check the NMSA Web site (www.nmsa.org) for the latest call for manuscripts. Middle School Journal invites articles that have not been previously published and are not under review by any other publication. Manuscripts that do not meet the submission requirements will be returned to the author.

Submission Requirements

Length
Manuscripts, including references, should be in the range of 10 to 20 double-spaced pages. Tables, charts, and figures should be kept to a minimum and placed at the end of the text.

Format & Style
All text, including title, headings, quotations, and references should be double-spaced with 1½" wide margins. The editor strongly encourages the use of subheads to increase readability. The main idea or stance of the article should be apparent in the first few paragraphs along with its application or relevance to readers. Authors should give special attention in their lead paragraphs to drawing potential readers into the manuscript. For matters of style, authors should follow the guidelines of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Fifth Edition).

Submission Process

Copies
Submit five clear copies, one with a cover page giving author(s) names, professional affiliation, home and work addresses, telephone, and e-mail. The names of the authors should appear only on the cover page. Faxed and electronic submissions are not accepted.

Submit to:
Middle School Journal
Cheri Howman, Assistant Editor
4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300
Westerville, OH 43081

Acknowledgment
Middle School Journal acknowledges receipt of manuscripts by letter. Manuscripts that meet submission requirements will be logged and sent to reviewers. Authors will be notified by letter of this action. Manuscripts that do not meet submission requirements will be returned to the author.

Review Process
Manuscripts are initially reviewed by the editor. Each manuscript is given a careful reading. Manuscripts that meet the Journal's guidelines are forwarded to three members of a panel of reviewers who are practicing professionals in all phases of middle level education. Author identities are kept confidential. The lead author is notified of this action by letter. A decision regarding publication will be reached within four months of the date the manuscript is sent out for review. This decision is communicated to the lead author. Often, authors are encouraged to resubmit the manuscript in a revised format or to an affiliate journal. If the manuscript is accepted for publication, a copyright assignment form will be sent with the acceptance letter. Authors whose manuscripts are selected for publication will be asked to send the copyright assignment form via mail or fax and the final version of the manuscript via e-mail attachment, along with any image files that accompany the manuscript. Articles will not be published until a signed copyright assignment form is received.

Editing
Middle School Journal reserves the right to edit manuscripts to improve clarity, to conform to style, and to fit available space.

Advice for Contributors

Contributors should be aware of some additional points that influence a positive review at each level. Authors should avoid the following:

• Generalities
• Excessive adjectives
• Personal asides
• Passive verbs and constructions
• Academic jargon
• References to "I," "we," "this author," or "the authors"

Manuscript references must be in correct APA format. Please consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Fifth Edition). The Journal will not consider manuscripts that are undergoing review by another publication or have been previously published. If accepted, authors must sign a statement that transfers copyright to National Middle School Association. Based upon reviewer comments, the following is a partial list of reasons for the rejection of manuscripts:

• The manuscript relates a personal, not a professional experience.
• The subject is so overly specialized it would appeal only to a small segment of readers.
• The material in the manuscript is neither timely nor new in its insights.
• The manuscript is largely in list format.
• The manuscript is a research report rather than an interpretation or application of research.
• The manuscript promotes a person or commercially available product.

Policy on Letters to the Editor

The Journal publishes brief comments in response to published articles. Letters to the editor are published in accordance with these guidelines:

• Must be limited 300 words.
• Should directly address a point made in a published article.
• Must be issue-oriented and not personal.
• Must not promote commercial products or services.
• Will be subject to editing for clarity and space considerations.

If you have questions regarding submission please contact Cheri Howman, assistant editor, at howmanc@nmsa.org or 1-800-528-NMSA.