Guidelines for improving teaching and learning for all students in the middle grades are provided in this document. Following an introduction and discussion of the significance of higher order learning for early adolescence, a set of 11 principles to improve the education of all middle-grade students is presented. Based on a review of research and restructuring efforts in the United States, each section pertaining to an individual principle describes strategies used by state and local initiatives nationwide. The principles recognize the differential rates of student development and promote higher order learning through curriculum development, teacher preparation, diverse teaching approaches, assessment, professional development, and better access to health and support services. A conclusion is that states must recognize the middle grades as a unique unit of learning and establish specific goals for learning. A list of resources is included. (Contains 24 references.) (LMI)