This guide is the result of a 2-year initiative, Results-Based Staff Development for the Middle Grades. It provides information and resources for selecting, designing, and evaluating staff development to improve student achievement. It targets school staff development committees, principals, staff development leaders, and curriculum coordinators. The guide describes 26 successful staff development programs in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and interdisciplinary programs. It offers guidelines for selecting and/or designing initiatives to improve student performance. There are seven chapters in three parts. Part 1, "Increasing Student Achievement through Teacher Learning," offers (1) "Filling the Crack in the Middle: A Research Summary" and (2) "The Link Between Staff Development and Student Achievement." Part 2, "Staff Development Program Descriptions," includes (3) "Selection Process" and (4) "Reading the Program Descriptions." Part 3, "Achieving Results," offers (5) "Common Characteristics of Programs in this Guide," (6) "How to Use This Guide," and (7) "Next Steps." (Contains 65 references.) (SM)