MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVISORIES - RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

This article presents a critical analysis of middle school advisor-adv isee programs. The history of and rationale for these programs are-rev iewed, and a typology is offered for distinguishing different advisory programs. A conceptual framework is provided for identifying potentia l barriers to advisories at the inception as well as the implementatio n and maintenance phases, and suggestions for addressing these barrier s are discussed. Existing research on advisory programs is reviewed an d evaluated, and guidelines for improving future research are presente d. Finally, alternative educational practices for achieving the goals of advisory programs are considered.