Middle-level education has become a fixture in our educational system. This collection of essays provides the opportunity for readers to examine current policies, programs, and practices in light of recent developments at the middle level. Nine essays include: (1) "Why Middle Schools?" (Donald Eichhorn); (2) "Organizing Middle Level Schools To Meet the Needs of Students and Staff" (Jody Capelluti); (3) "The Middle School Curriculum-Or Is It Curricula?" (John H. Lounsbury); (4) "Easing the Transition from the Middle Level to the High School" (Kathleen D. Rossi, Donald Stokes); (5) "Organizing and Grouping for Instruction" (Conrad F. Toepfer, Jr.); (6) "Guidance in the Middle Level School: The Compassion Component" (Sherrel Bergmann); (7) "Leadership at the Middle Level" (Ron Williamson); (8) "Middle Level Transition" (Larry Roth); and (9) "How Do You Know That It Works?" (J. Howard Johnston). George E. Melton provides an epilogue in which he describes the next decade as the "decade of the Curriculum at the Middle level," where colleges will provide preparation for middle level teaching and leadership. (101 references) (LAP)