In recent years, there has been heightened awareness of the importance of early childhood education and high school as intervention points in the educational lives of America's children. Less attention has been paid to the importance of the upper elementary grades and middle school and the role they must play in the preparation of students for life after high school. The results of "The Forgotten Middle" suggest that, in the current educational environment, there is a critical defining point for students in the college and career readiness process--one so important that, if students are not on target for college and career readiness by the time they reach this point, the impact may be nearly irreversible. Ultimately, leaders must reduce the number of students who are seriously underprepared by the end of middle school, which will require interventions well before grade 8. Furthermore, if they can improve students' academic skills before grade 8, then the other high school-level enhancements will be far more effective. Several recommendations are presented.