This public lecture, delivered in Nyack, New York in October 2002, concerns parents role in middle school education reform. The lecture identifies perceived and actual problems in middle school education related to student achievement and teacher preparation. The lecture maintains that although the facts are certainly of concern, most parents have as their highest priority their personal relationship with their own children and they need to increase their level of engagement in their early adolescents life. Many middle schools, the lecture asserts, are not engaged in the demanding work necessary to devote equal attention to students affective and academic needs. Barriers to effective school performance are then discussed. The lecture maintains that parents should feel secure in framing a middle school reform agenda based on their natural parental instincts and asserts that middle schools should: (1) develop a school climate of caring, respect, tolerance, and inclusion; (2) engage each student in appropriate but challenging instruction; and (3) have educators who understand students needs and who act to meet those needs. The lecture discusses how a simple assessment tool can help parents know if their schools are meeting these minimum expectations, describes some recent reforms in middle schools around the country, and provides information on resources available on middle school reform. The lecture then concludes by asserting that parents need to know that middle school reform is necessary, is possible, is in progress and that the real issue is whether those who complain about middle schools are willing to work together to create more effective schools. (Contains 24 footnotes.) (KB)