[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 80--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 
           2013 AS ``NATIONAL MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION MONTH''

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 80

       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
       Resolved, 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.

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