Dr. Steve Mertens
Professor
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Selected Research
Current Courses
TCH 599.005 Dissertation Research
TCH 599.011 Dissertation Research
SWK 412.001 Generalist Research
TCH 104.001 Introduction To Education In The United States
TCH 333.001 Middle Level Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Teaching Interests & Areas
middle-level education, research methodologies
Research Interests & Areas
middle-level education, teacher preparation, teacher attrition
Ph D Anthropology
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL
MA Archaeology
University of London, Institute of Archaeology
London, England
BA Sociology & Anthropology
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
John H. Lounsbury Award for Distinguished Achievement in Middle Level Education
Association for Middle Level Education
2020
College of Education Outstanding Researcher Award
College of Education, Illinois State University
2020
University Research Grant
College of Education, Illinois State University
2020
Vincent A. Anfara, Jr. Outstanding Research Award
Middle Level Education Research (AERA SIG)
2019
University Research Initiative Award
College of Education, Illinois State University
2011
Book, Authored
A practitioner's guide to understanding and applying middle grades research
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
(2007), National Middle School Association
Research and resources in support of This We Believe
V. A. Anfara, Jr., G. P. Andrews, D. L. Hough, Steven B. Mertens, N. B. Mizelle, G. P. White.
(2003), National Middle School Association
Book, Chapter
Capturing John’s voice in selected publications
Micki M Caskey, Steven B Mertens.
(2021), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury, Information Age Publishing
Memories and reflections in honor of John. H. Lounsbury
Steven B Mertens, Micki M Caskey.
(2021), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury, Information Age Publishing
Support from a giant: My friendship with John Lounsbury
Steven B Mertens.
(2021), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury, Information Age Publishing
Student-centered learning: Evolving curriculum, instruction, and assessment—intersecting new needs
Micki M. Caskey, Sandra L. Stacki, Steven B. Mertens.
(2020), Curriculum, instruction, and assessment: Intersecting new needs and new approaches, Information Age Publishing
Preparing middle level teachers for the classroom
S. B. Mertens.
(2018), 29-51, Preparing middle level educators for 21st century schools: Enduring beliefs, changing times, evolving practices, Information Age Publishing
The implementation and use of middle level common planning time: A study of four middle schools
S. B. Mertens, E. Hurd, K. Tilford.
(2013), 299-318, Common planning time in middle level schools: Research studies from the MLER SIG's national project, Information Age Publishing
Concluding thoughts: Tying it all together with a comparative look at the education of young adolescents
V. A. Anfara, Jr., Steven Mertens, K. Roney.
(2009), 347-391, An International Look at Educating Young Adolescents, Information Age Publishing
Introduction: The young adolescent and the middle school
V. A. Anfara, Jr., Steven Mertens, M. M. Caskey.
(2007), The young adolescent and the middle school, Information Age Publishing
The relationship between middle-grades teacher certification and teaching practices
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
(2002), 119--138, Middle school curriculum, instruction, and assessment, Information Age Publishing
Book, Edited
As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury
Steven B, Mertens, Micki M. Caskey.
(2021), Information Age Publishing
Curriculum, instruction, and assessment: Intersecting new needs and new approaches
Sandra L. Stacki, Micki M. Caskey, Steven B. Mertens.
(2020), Information Age Publishing
Literature Reviews in Support of the Middle Level Education Research Agenda
Steven Mertens, Micki M. Caskey.
(2018), Information Age Publishing
Common planning time in middle level schools: Research studies from the MLER SIG’s national project
Steven B. Mertens, Vincent A. Anfara, Jr., Micki M. Caskey, Nancy Flowers.
(2013), Information Age Publishing
An international look at educating young adolescents
Steven B. Mertens, V. A. Anfara, Jr., K Roney.
(2009), Information Age Publishing
The young adolescent and the middle school
Steven Mertens, V. A. Anfara, Jr., M. M. Caskey.
(2007), Information Age Publishing
Encyclopedia
The encyclopedia of middle grades education (2nd ed.)
Steven B. Mertens, Micki M. Caskey, Nancy Flowers.
Information Age Publishing, 446, (2016)
The encyclopedia of middle grades education
V. A Anfara, Jr., G. Andrews, Steven Mertens.
Information Age Publishing, (2005)
Journal Article
Illinois Horizon Schools: Initial research findings from the Illinois Schools to Watch Program
Steven B Mertens, Kristina N. Falbe.
Research in Middle Level Education Online, 44 (6), 1-15, (2021)
A new research agenda for middle level education
Steven B Mertens, Micki M Caskey.
Middle School Journal, 51 (4), 5-8, (2020)
The need for large-scale, longitudinal empirical studies in middle level education research
Steven Mertens, M. M. Caskey, N. Flowers.
Middle Grades Review, 2 (2), 1--11, (2016)
A comparison of teacher preparation models and implications for teacher attrition: Evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study
N. Latham, Steven Mertens, Kira Hamann.
NAPDS School-University Partnerships Journal, 8 (2), 79--89, (2015)
Middle level education and the young adolescent
Ellis Hurd, Steven Mertens.
Syllabus, 2 (1), 1--12, (2013)
Capacity building is a key to the radical transformation of middle grades schools
V. A Anfara, Jr., Steven Mertens.
Middle School Journal, 43 (3), 58--64, (2012)
A national research project revitalizes and strengthens a SIG's membership, leadership, and the quality of research in the field
Steven Mertens, V. A. Anfara, Jr., N. Flowers, M. M. Caskey.
Educational Researcher, 40 (6), 295--298, (2011)
Common planning time
Steven Mertens, V. A. Anfara, Jr., M. M Caskey, N. Flowers.
Middle School Journal, 41 (5), 50--57, (2010)
Do single-sex classes and schools make a difference?
V. A. Anfara, Jr., Steven Mertens.
Middle School Journal, 40 (2), 52--59, (2008)
Varieties of parent involvement in schooling
V. A. Anfara, Jr., Steven Mertens.
Middle School Journal, 39 (3), 58--64, (2008)
Middle Start's impact on comprehensive middle school reform
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers.
Middle Grades Research Journal, 1 (1), 1--26, (2006)
Research summary: Student achievement and the middle school concept
Steven Mertens, V. A. Anfara, Jr..
National Middle School Association, (2006)
The relevancy of large-scale, quantitative methodologies in middle grades education research.
Steven Mertens.
Middle Grades Research Journal, 1 (2), 1--13, (2006)
How does a middle grades teacher certification affect teacher practices and student learning
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 36 (5), 56--61, (2005)
Teacher views on collaborative review of student work
N. Flowers, Steven Mertens, P. F. Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 37 (2), 56--60, (2005)
Are middle level principals an endangered species?
P. F. Mulhall, N. Flowers, Steven Mertens.
Middle School Journal, 36 (2), 58--62, (2004)
High expectations for every student
D. M. H. Carpenter, N. Flowers, Steven Mertens, P. F. Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 35 (5), 64--69, (2004)
Lessons learned from more than a decade of middle grades research
N. Flowers, Steven Mertens, P. F Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 35 (2), 55--59, (2003)
Middle school practices improve student achievement in high poverty schools
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers.
Middle School Journal, 35 (1), 33--43, (2003)
Professional development for middle-grades teachers: Does one size fit all
N. Flowers, Steven Mertens.
Leaders for a movement: Professional preparation and development of middle level teachers and administrators, 145--160, (2003)
Should middle grades students be left alone after school?
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 34 (5), 57--61, (2003)
Four important lessons about teacher professional development
N. Flowers, Steven Mertens, P. F Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 33 (5), 57--61, (2002)
Understanding indicators related to academic performance
P. F. Mulhall, N. Flowers, Steven Mertens.
Middle School Journal, 34 (2), 56--61, (2002)
How familiar are parents with middle level practices?
P. F. Mulhall, Steven Mertens, N. Flowers.
Middle School Journal, 33 (2), 57--61, (2001)
School size matters in interesting ways
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
Middle School Journal, 32 (4), 51--55, (2001)
Magazine/Trade Publication
No Dirt on this Dig
Steven Mertens.
Archaeological Institute of America, (2000)
Other
The MLER SIG research agenda
Steven Mertens, M. M. Caskey, P. Bishop, N. Flowers, D. Strahan, G. Andrews, L. Daniel.
(2016)
A proposal for establishing a national middle level research project
Steven B. Mertens.
White paper - Submitted to the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group, (2006)
The Middle Start Initiative, phase I: A longitudinal analysis of Michigan middle-level schools
Steven Mertens, N. Flowers, P. F. Mulhall.
Center for Prevention Research and Development, University of Illinois, (1998)
Assessment of middle grades education in Michigan: A report to the WK Kellogg Foundation's Middle Start Initiative
R. D. Felner, Steven Mertens, J. Lipsitz.
Center for Prevention Research and Development (University of Illinois), (1996)
Presentations
As he saw it: Honoring John H. Lounsbury’s contributions and vision
Steven B Mertens, Micki M. Caskey.
Association for Middle Level Education, Louisville, KY, November, 2021
Illinois Schools to Watch: Principal perceptions of becoming an Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch
Kristina N. Falbe, Steven B. Mertens.
Association for Middle Level Education, Louisville, KY, November, 2021
Illinois Horizon Schools: Ongoing research from the Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program
Steven B Mertens, Kristina Falbe.
American Educational Research Association, Virtual, April, 2021
Illinois Horizon Schools: Ongoing research from the Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program
Steven B. Mertens, Kristina N. Falbe.
Association for Middle Level Education, Online, November, 2020
A longitudinal study of teacher workforce employment pathways and trends: Findings and potential implications for early childhood, elementary, middle level, and bilingual teachers and teacher preparers
N. I. Latham, Steven B. Mertens.
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Atlanta, GA, February, 2020
Illinois Horizon Schools: Research findings from Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program
Steven B. Mertens, Kristina Falbe.
Association for Middle Level Education, Nashville, TN, November, 2019
Research for practitioners: Using current research to support your middle grades practices
Steven B. Mertens, M. M. Caskey.
Association for Middle Level Education, Nashville, TN, November, 2019
Writing your stories: Strategies and tools to support your success
Micki M Caskey, Steven B Mertens, Maureen M Musser.
Association for Middle Level Education, Orlando, FL, October, 2018
Preparing middle level teachers for the classroom: Assessing preservice teacher candidates’ preparedness
Steven B. Mertens, Micki M. Caskey.
American Educational Research Association, New York, NY, April, 2018
Characteristics of a middle level teacher preparation program: Results from an ongoing study
Steven B Mertens.
Association for Middle Level Education, Philadelphia, PA, November, 2017
Characteristics of a middle level teacher preparation program: Results from a pilot study
Steven B Mertens.
Association for Middle Level Education, Austin, TX, October, 2016
Schools to Watch: Characteristics and implementation levels of successful middle level schools
Steven B Mertens, Nancy Flowers.
Association for Middle Level Education, Austin, TX, October, 2016
The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education: A resource for practitioners and academics
Micki M Caskey, Steven B Mertens, Nancy Flowers.
Association for Middle Level Education, Austin, TX, October, 2016
The Middle Level Education Research SIG Presents A new agenda for middle level education research
Steven B Mertens.
Association for Middle Level Education, Austin, TX, October, 2016
The National Schools to Watch program: Characteristics and implementation levels of successful middle level schools
Steven B Mertens, Nancy Flowers.
American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, April, 2016