Its primary subject was the meanness of middle-school students.

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And of course, I want to thank all the students from the Lincoln Multicultural Middle School -- where are my students? (Applause.) Thank you all for joining us.

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The same is true for middle-school students, according to UCLA psychology professor Jaana Juvonen, who's been studying bullying since the mid-1990s.

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They offer an affordable option for middle-class high-school students who want to attend a four-year college but cannot afford the tuition.

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With middle and high-school students, parents should listen closely to what kids say about the tragedy, encourage them to talk about any specific reactions or fears, and provide reassurance whenever possible, says Geri Kerr, a Morristown, N.

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Today, YES serves students from the third grade through graduate school, though Eisner focuses on the pivotal upper-middle-school years: The kids are old enough for him to reliably evaluate their work ethic and their hunger for knowledge, but young enough that their minds are still growing rapidly.

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