In an effort to advance the middle school movement, this paper examines the research trends from three organizations that support middle grades educational innovation, assessment, and research: The Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Educational Testing Service, and the Institute of Education Sciences. Using an instrumental, multiple case study design, trends within and across these organizations regarding research on middle grades education were identified. We found trends across these organizations that reveal the following: They privilege quantitative methodologies; the research topics examined are limited in focus; and the end-result for much of their work results in exclusive products for sale. Further, each of these organizations has deep pockets that provide significant funds for their research projects and products.