Editorial Policy & Guidelines for Authors

Texas Middle School Journal is an official publication of Texas Middle School Association. Texas Middle School Journal has a circulation of more than 20,000 and is published two times during the school year--Fall and Spring.

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.

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 and articles with a global perspective.

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 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

Submitting a Manuscript
Please submit your article as a Word Document. We prefer you email your completed article to our editor. Articles may also be faxed to 512-462-0991.  Please send all photographs electronically as well. Photographs should be sent as .jpegs only.  We ask that you identify each person in your submitted photographs. Please send only photographs for which you have been granted permission.

Review Process
Manuscripts are initially reviewed by the editor. Each manuscript is given a careful reading. Manuscripts that meet the Journal's guidelines will be included in the appropriate issue of the Journal. Authors will be contacted prior to their article's inclusion.

Editing
Texas 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"

We will not consider manuscripts that are currently under review by another publication or have been previously published.

A manuscript may be rejected if:

• 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.
  

If you have questions regarding submission, please contact us at 512-462-1105 or email us.