The result of a collaborative effort to meet the needs of California educators in middle-grades reform, this volume provides access to the best ideas in research and practice, and support for local improvement efforts. The casebook format tells the strategies, problems, and diverse actions of educators focusing on the "how" of leading a school into and through the change process. A nautical metaphor captures much of what is known about school change using the following six elements: (1) getting launched; (2) establishing a destination; (3) supporting the crew; (4) navigating; (5) ports of call; and (5) not alone at sea. Editor-written text introduces research-based concepts and suggests key issues to think about. Complementing this are case descriptions written by California educators about California middle-grades education that provide concrete examples. Comments and discussion questions help stimulate analysis. (MLF)