[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 383--DESIGNATING MARCH 2014 AS ``NATIONAL MIDDLE 
                        LEVEL EDUCATION MONTH''

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Walsh) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 383

       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 2014 as ``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 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, the people of the United 
     States must have a deeper understanding of the distinctive 
     mission of middle level education: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 2014 as ``National Middle Level 
     Education Month'';
       (2) honors and recognizes the importance of middle level 
     education and the contributions of the individuals who 
     educate middle level students; and
       (3) 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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