S.Res. 80 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 80 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 19, 2013 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of March 2013 as National Middle Level Education Month. Whereas the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals have declared March 2013 to be National Middle Level Education Month; Whereas schools that educate middle level students are responsible for educating nearly 24,000,000 young adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15, in grades 5 through 9, who are undergoing rapid and dramatic changes in their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and moral development; Whereas those young adolescents deserve challenging and engaging instruction, knowledgeable teachers and administrators who are prepared to provide young adolescents with a safe, challenging, and supportive learning environment, and organizational structures that banish anonymity and promote personalization, collaboration, and social equity; Whereas the habits and values established during early adolescence have a lifelong influence that directly affects the future health and welfare of the United States; Whereas research indicates that the academic achievement of a student in eighth grade has a larger impact on the readiness of that student for college at the end of high school than any academic achievement of that student in high school; and Whereas, in order to improve graduation rates and prepare students to be lifelong learners who are ready for college, a career, and civic participation, it is necessary for the people of the United States to have a deeper understanding of the distinctive mission of middle level education: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate— (1) honors and recognizes the importance of middle level education and the contributions of the individuals who educate middle level students; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Middle Level Education Month by visiting and celebrating schools that are responsible for educating young adolescents in the United States.