Currently, the state of Ohio has a separate licensure classification specific to middle-level education, but this was not always the case. Prior to 1998, core teachers were prepared by universities to focus on elementary (K-8) or secondary (7-12). Teachers who obtained their license after the reform are broken into three groups: Early Childhood (PreK-3), Middle Childhood (4-9), and Adolescent-to-Young Adult (7-12).This study examined the relationship between an educator's license, role in the school, and professional experience to their comparative valuation of middle-level education's best practices and philosophies as described by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). As states examine returning to a broader grade-band licensure system to increase the flexibility of teacher assignments, this study's results may help to illuminate the relative impact a change may have on teachers' attitudes and values. This research tested the hypothesis that educators with a middle childhood license will value specific characteristics differently than those with other certifications and school roles. An online survey was completed by Ohio middle-level educators. The participants placed a valuation score between the three categories that describe AMLE's best practices and identified the most important of those groups' characteristics. While the analysis did not find a statistically significant difference across most of the variables, trends did emerge in what educators identified most with. This research gives insight to middle-level school leaders of which practices have the greatest amount of belief and support amongst the staff and which elements may need more support. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]