I'm trying to do research on whether 9th graders should/should not be in Middle school with 7-8th graders. Does anyone know of any studies that would support either side? Or any leads I could perhaps follow to write the paper easier?

I didn't find any online studies about high school grade levels.

In my opinion, it doesn't make much difference what you call the school that houses any grade. There is no natural difference between 8th and 9th grades or 9th and 10th grades. Divisions between schools usually depend on the rooms available, especially in small districts.

I assume that you are a 9th grader in a middle school with 7th and 8th graders and believe you should be in high school. If appropriate 9th grade classes are available to you, then enjoy being the kings/queens/leaders of your middle school, rather than being lowly freshmen in high school.

No, I'm a 10th grader in High School now, but after leaving a 7-8th grade Middle school to go to a 7-9th grade middle school, the differences became painfully clear.

Anyhoot, thanks for your attempt!

No matter whether the 9th grade is in a middle school or a high school, the transition to high school (10-12) is often difficult for students. The good news is that most colleges and universities look at the grades in 10-12.

Try researching about the emotional levels of teens that age, also the maturity level, intrests, what they are going through. Think of reasons why they shouldn't be in the high school system yet and google those. (2 years of newspaper paid off!)

To find studies or resources on whether 9th graders should or should not be in middle school with 7th and 8th graders, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by conducting a literature review: Begin your research by searching for academic articles, research papers, and studies related to the topic. Databases such as ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), JSTOR, or Google Scholar are good places to find scholarly sources. Use keywords such as "9th graders in middle school," "middle school organization," or "grade configuration" to narrow down your search.

2. Look for educational organizations and publications: Check websites and publications of reputable educational organizations, such as the National Education Association (NEA), the American Educational Research Association (AERA), or the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). These organizations often publish research and position papers on education-related topics.

3. Consult government reports and educational policies: Explore reports and recommendations from educational departments at the state or national level. These reports often cover topics like school organization and grade configuration.

4. Seek well-known studies or key researchers: Look out for any seminal studies or researchers who have extensively researched the topic. Their work may have been referenced in various studies and publications. Pay attention to citations within the articles you find as they may lead you to additional relevant sources.

5. Utilize literature review articles: Once you have found a few key studies or articles, check if there are any literature review papers available. These types of articles compile and analyze existing research on a particular topic, providing a good overview of the current state of the research.

6. Consider both sides of the argument: Keep in mind that there may be arguments supporting and opposing the inclusion of 9th graders in middle school with 7th and 8th graders. Be objective and consider the various perspectives and evidence available.

Remember to critically evaluate the sources you find, considering factors such as the credibility of the authors, the methodology used in the studies, and any potential biases. This will help ensure you use reliable and trustworthy information in your research paper.