This report describes a program for improving active and critical listening skills for elementary age students. The targeted population consists of middle school children located near a large midwestern city. The problems of poor listening skills are documented through data revealing the need for attending interventions that have been put in place. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that students reported a lack of skills in active and critical listening. A review of curricula and literature revealed that teachers do not receive adequate staff development related to teaching listening. Students do not receive direct instruction on the components of effective listening. Inability to listen has been revealed through information received from the faculty. A review of solution strategies suggested by knowledgeable others, combined with an analysis of the problem settings, resulted in the selection of four major categories of intervention. The four categories include active listening, critical listening, note-taking, and applications for life transfer. Post intervention data indicated an increase in students' listening skills and behaviors based on assessment activities. Contains 28 references, 8 figures, and 2 tables of data. Appendixes contain questionnaires, interview sheets, checklists, dictation sentences, stories with questions, and listening rules and strategies. (Author/SR)