[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 43 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 404--DESIGNATING MARCH 2016 AS ``NATIONAL MIDDLE 
                        LEVEL EDUCATION MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 404

       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 2016 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 and knowledgeable teachers and administrators who 
     are prepared to provide young adolescents with a safe, 
     challenging, and supportive learning environment;
       Whereas young adolescents deserve 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 grade 8 has a larger impact on the readiness of 
     that student for an institution of higher education 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 an 
     institution of higher education or 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 2016 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.

                          ____________________