As more and more states make a commitment to specialized middle level teacher preparation, teacher education programs across the country must make the necessary adjustments to ensure middle level teachers are prepared to be successful. Unfortunately, individual state and institutional requirements often make this challenging and can result in inconsistent experiences, expectations, and requirements. In an effort to provide a common focus for middle level teacher preparation, this piece proposes the Framework for Effective Middle Level Practices through the analysis of three key documents in middle level teacher preparation--National Middle School Association's position statement on the "Professional Preparation of Middle Level Teachers" (2006), National Middle School Association's "This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents" (2010), and Anfara and Schmid's (2007) synthesis of research on effective teaching practices at the middle level. Illustrative practices are suggested for the use of the Framework in middle level teacher preparation.