117th CONGRESS 1st Session |
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Middle Level Education Month.
March 11, 2021
Mr. Grijalva (for himself and Mr. San Nicolas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Middle Level Education Month.
Whereas the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the Alliance for Excellent Education have declared the month of March 2021 as National Middle Level Education Month;
Whereas schools that educate middle grades students play a critical function in the Nation’s educational system in that they are responsible for educating young adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 (grades 5 through 9) that are undergoing rapid and dramatic changes in their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and moral development;
Whereas each day over 19,000,000 young adolescents engaged in school deserving what research and practice have shown to help middle grades students achieve, including challenging and engaging instruction, teachers and administrators who are knowledgeable and 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 neuroscience indicates that the majority of middle grades students are in a critical stage of brain development that promotes productive adulthood;
Whereas the habits and values established during early adolescence have a critical, lifelong influence that directly impacts the future health and welfare of the Nation;
Whereas research has found that the academic achievement of eighth grade students has a larger impact on their readiness for college by the end of high school than anything that happens academically in high school;
Whereas research has found that middle level education is underfunded creating a “missing middle” in Federal education funding;
Whereas in order to improve graduation rates and prepare students to be lifelong learners ready for college, career, and citizenship, a deeper public understanding of the distinctive mission of the middle level is necessary; and
Whereas the month of March 2021 has been declared as National Middle Level Education Month by numerous educational groups: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Middle Level Education Month;
(2) honors and recognizes the importance of middle level education and the contributions of those who educate this unique age group; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Middle Level Education Month by taking opportunities to engage with schools that educate middle grades students and celebrate the schools that are responsible for educating the Nation’s young adolescents.