The purpose of this monograph is to heighten awareness about action research for both teachers and administrators involved in California middle level reform efforts. This approach to educational research is a means of developing knowledge through collaboration in a process that improves both student learning and professional autonomy. The monograph is arranged in four sections. The first section is devoted to why action research is one key to genuine educational reform. The second section reviews the how to of undertaking an action research project and presents a proposed 8-step research model useful to teachers and administrators who are studying a problem systematically. An action research example involving two teachers interested in how to improve their students' ability to solve math story problems is included. The third section provides some proposed topics for future action research projects. The final section offers information about the creation of a support network for middle level research. (Contains 21 references.) (LL)