A recent national survey of middle grades education examined the perceptions of middle grades educators about middle grades organizational structures and instructional practices. Although the results suggested declining implementation of middle grades practices, it also highlighted educators still valued middle school philosophy and indicated a need for middle grades education. While this survey included teacher and principal voices, the results largely aligned with prior large-scale national surveys that focused on principal voices only. As part of this survey, participants provided suggestions, challenges, and advice for the middle grades' community. The focus of this study is on teacher and principal beliefs about middle grades education and the implications of these beliefs for middle grades education. Findings suggest a continued decline in the application of many organizational structures and practices, but a strong belief in the power of the middle school concept.