The Baltimore City (Maryland) Public Schools (BCPSs) established the Institute for Middle School Reform at the end of 1991-92 to create an administrative vehicle for systemic middle grades reform. The Institute's mission is to provide each individual middle school community with data-driven planning, implementation, and evaluation tools and technical assistance to deliver holistic, informed, and flexible approaches for improving outcomes for each child in the system. The city context for the Institute includes an environment where many school reform programs and innovative initiatives are already in place, such as private sector participation, state funding in challenge grants to 12 Baltimore middle schools, and local public-private school partnerships. The BCPSs have committed themselves to four specific Efficacy Institute outcomes for all graduating students, a program of staff development and curriculum developed at the Mid-Continent Regional Laboratory. The Institute plans a multi-faceted strategy to involve all schools in improvement efforts while providing attention and resources to 18 schools in greatest need of reform. Tier I will provide a foundation of support for all schools; Tier II will offer a school-based assessment and planning process; and Tier III is the Challenge schools. (Contains 19 notes.) (JB)