Steve Mertens
Professor
Teaching and Learning
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Research
Current Courses
599.006Dissertation Research
207.001Literacy Instruction in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Middle Level Classroom
333.001Middle Level Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
396.001Middle Level Education Clinical II
599.006Dissertation Research
495.001Methods & Strategies in Middle Level Teaching
307.001Methods and Strategies in Middle Level Education: Biology
307.001Methods and Strategies in Middle Level Teaching: Chemistry
307.001Methods and Strategies in Middle Level Teaching: English
307.001Methods and Strategies in Middle Level Teaching: Geography
307.001Methods and Strategies in Middle Level Teaching: History
595.001Research Seminar in Education: Quantitative Research
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
Mertens, S., Flowers, N., & Mulhall, P. A practitioner's guide to understanding and applying middle grades research. National Middle School Association (2007)
Anfara, Jr., V., Andrews, G., Hough, D., Mertens, S., Mizelle, N., & White, G. Research and resources in support of This We Believe. National Middle School Association (2003)
Book, Chapter
Caskey, M., & Mertens, S. Capturing John’s voice in selected publications. Steven B. Mertens & Micki M. Caskey (EDs), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury. Information Age Publishing (2021)
Mertens, S., & Caskey, M. Memories and reflections in honor of John. H. Lounsbury. S. B. Mertens & M. M. Caskey (EDs), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury. Information Age Publishing (2021)
Mertens, S. Support from a giant: My friendship with John Lounsbury. Steven B. Mertens & Micki M. Caskey (EDs), As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury. Information Age Publishing (2021)
Caskey, M., Stacki, S., & Mertens, S. Student-centered learning: Evolving curriculum, instruction, and assessment—intersecting new needs. Stacki, S. L., Caskey, M. M., & Mertens, S. B. (EDs), Curriculum, instruction, and assessment: Intersecting new needs and new approaches. Information Age Publishing (2020)
Mertens, S. Preparing middle level teachers for the classroom. Howell, P. B. Faulkner, S. A., Carpenter, J., & Jones, J. (EDs), Preparing middle level educators for 21st century schools: Enduring beliefs, changing times, evolving practices. Information Age Publishing (2018): 29-51.
Book, Edited
Mertens, S., & Caskey, M. As he saw it: Contributions, memories, and reflections of John H. Lounsbury. Mertens, S. B.; Caskey, M. M. (EDs). Information Age Publishing (2021)
Stacki, S., Caskey, M., & Mertens, S. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment: Intersecting new needs and new approaches. Information Age Publishing (2020)
Mertens, S., & Caskey, M. Literature Reviews in Support of the Middle Level Education Research Agenda. Mertens, S. B., & Caskey, M. M. (EDs). Information Age Publishing (2018)
Mertens, S., Anfara, Jr., V., Caskey, M., & Flowers, N. Common planning time in middle level schools: Research studies from the MLER SIG’s national project. Mertens, S. B., Anfara, V. A., Jr., Caskey, M. M., & Flowers, N. (EDs). Information Age Publishing (2013)
Mertens, S., Anfara, Jr., V., & Roney, K. An international look at educating young adolescents. Mertens, S.B.; Anfara, V.A., Jr.; Roney, K. (EDs). Information Age Publishing (2009)
Encyclopedia
Mertens, S., Caskey, M., & Flowers, N. The encyclopedia of middle grades education (2nd ed.). Mertens, S. B., Caskey, M. M., & Flowers, N. (EDs). Information Age Publishing (2016): 446.
Anfara, Jr., V., Andrews, G., & Mertens, S. The encyclopedia of middle grades education. Information Age Publishing (2005)
Journal Article
Mertens, S. B., & Falbe, K. N. (2021). Illinois Horizon Schools: Initial research findings from the Illinois Schools to Watch Program. Research in Middle Level Education Online, 44(6), 1–15. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19404476.2021.1921678
Mertens, S., & Caskey, M. A new research agenda for middle level education. Middle School Journal 51.4 (2020): 5-8.
Mertens, S., Caskey, M., & Flowers, N. The need for large-scale, longitudinal empirical studies in middle level education research. Middle Grades Review 2.2 (2016): 1--11.
Latham, N., Mertens, S., & Hamann, K. A comparison of teacher preparation models and implications for teacher attrition: Evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study. NAPDS School-University Partnerships Journal 8.2 (2015): 79--89.
Hurd, E., & Mertens, S. Middle level education and the young adolescent. Syllabus 2.1 (2013): 1--12.
Magazine/Trade Publication
Mertens, S. No Dirt on this Dig. Archaeological Institute of America (2000)
Other
Mertens, S., Caskey, M., Bishop, P., Flowers, N., Strahan, D., Andrews, G., & Daniel, L. The MLER SIG research agenda (2016)
Mertens, S. A proposal for establishing a national middle level research project. White paper - Submitted to the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group (2006)
Mertens, S., Flowers, N., & Mulhall, P. The Middle Start Initiative, phase I: A longitudinal analysis of Michigan middle-level schools. Center for Prevention Research and Development, University of Illinois (1998)
Felner, R., Mertens, S., & Lipsitz, J. Assessment of middle grades education in Michigan: A report to the WK Kellogg Foundation's Middle Start Initiative. Center for Prevention Research and Development (University of Illinois) (1996)
Presentations
As he saw it: Honoring John H. Lounsbury’s contributions and vision. Association for Middle Level Education. Association for Middle Level Education. (2021)
Illinois Horizon Schools: Ongoing research from the Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program. American Educational Research Association. American Educational Research Association. (2021)
Illinois Schools to Watch: Principal perceptions of becoming an Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch. Association for Middle Level Education. (2021)
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. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. (2020)
Illinois Horizon Schools: Ongoing research from the Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program. Association for Middle Level Education. Association for Middle Level Education. (2020)
Illinois Horizon Schools: Research findings from Illinois’ Schools to Watch Program. Association for Middle Level Education. Association for Middle Level Education. (2019)
Research for practitioners: Using current research to support your middle grades practices. Association for Middle Level Education. Association for Middle Level Education. (2019)
Preparing middle level teachers for the classroom: Assessing preservice teacher candidates’ preparedness. American Educational Research Association. (2018)
Writing your stories: Strategies and tools to support your success. Association for Middle Level Education. (2018)
Characteristics of a middle level teacher preparation program: Results from an ongoing study. Association for Middle Level Education. Association for Middle Level Education. (2017)