The middle grades are in crisis. By state and national measures, student achievement gains realized in the elementary grades all too often diminish by grade 8. In most states, the considerable policy focus on high schools in recent years has not trickled down to a focus on the middle grades--yet preparation for "college- and work-ready standards" must begin "before" high school, especially for at-risk students. Although research on best practices in the middle grades is less plentiful than research on other grade levels (i.e., early learning, high school), there is growing awareness of the need for states to shift attention to what happens in the middle grades if meaningful high school reform is to be realized. This issue of "The Progress of Education Reform" highlights key findings from recent research and publications on improving student success in the middle grades--and identifies actions states can take to translate these findings into sound policy. (Contains 33 endnotes.)