Success in the Middle:
Reintroduced in the House and the Senate
View Information on How You Can Get Involved
On June 26, 2009, Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) reintroduced Success in the Middle (H.R. 3006/S. 1362) a Act bill that would authorize grants to states and school districts to help improve middle grades education and turn around low-performing middle schools. NMSA offers strong support for the Success in the Middle Act, which will help ensure that all students exit the middle grades prepared for success and on the path for college and career readiness. The bill will help states and districts provide leadership, intensive intervention, and technical assistance to improve low-performing schools that contain middle grades. The bill was first introduced in fall 2008 and garnered a good deal of support with 31 cosponsors. Rep. Grijalva and Sen. Reed are urging other members of Congress to join in cosponsoring the legislation. We encourage you to take the time to explain to your elected leaders why middle grades students deserve their help. Write or call your Senators and Representatives urging them to support and co-sponsor H.R. 3006 and S. 1362 today!
Key Components of Success in the Middle
Both the House and Senate bills provide not only federal funding for States and school districts to improve the middle grades, but also the flexibility to implement strategies that specifically address the needs of schools being left behind. The Success in the Middle Act would authorize federal investments in improving the education of middle grades students in low-performing schools. Here's how …
Title I authorizes spending $1 billion annually on formula grants to states to provide grants to local school districts to improve low-performing schools that contain middle grades. In addition, 1% of appropriated funds are set aside to evaluate the grant’s effectiveness. The Secretary of Education is required to establish a peer-review process that includes participation of experts and educators to evaluate state grant applications and provide feedback and technical assistance.
States receiving grants would implement a plan to improve student achievement that describes what students are required to know and do to successfully complete the middle grades and transition to and succeed in an academically rigorous high school that prepares them for postsecondary education and the workplace. This plan would include the development of early warning and intervention systems to identify those students most at-risk of dropping out and intervene appropriately to help them succeed. States are also required to enlist an outside entity to prepare a need analysis and set forth a plan to strengthen middle grades policies and practices.
States and districts would invest in proven strategies, such as:
Providing professional development and coaching to school leaders, teachers and other school personnel in addressing the needs of diverse learners and in using challenging and relevant research-based best practices and curriculum;
Developing and implementing comprehensive, school-wide improvement efforts in eligible schools (schools containing middle grades (5-8) from which more than 50% of students go on to attend a high school with a graduation rate of less than 60%, or schools containing middle grades in which more than 25% of students who finish their first middle grades year in the school exhibit key risk factors and early warning signs, including attendance below 90%; a failing grade in English or math or two failing grades in any courses; suspension or other evidence of poor behavior; or schools containing middle grades in which more than 50% of students in middle grades do not perform at a proficient level on state NCLB math and reading tests); and
Implementing student supports, such as extended learning time and personal academic plans that enable all students to stay on the path to graduation.
Title II authorizes an additional $100 million to facilitate the generation, dissemination, and application of research to identify promising practices in middle grades education, as well as review existing research on middle grades education practices. This research will assist in the implementation of effective practices that lead to continual student learning and high academic achievement at the middle level.
House Bill HR 3006
View the Success in the Middle House bill.
Follow this link to a list of Representatives who serve on the House Education and Labor Committee (http://edlabor.house.gov/about/members.shtml).
View Middle Grades Coalition House Support Letter
Senate Bill S. 1362
View the Success in the Middle Senate bill. Find contact information for your Senators. List of Senators
View Middle Grades Coalition Letter to Senator Reed Supporting Senate Bill
Cosponsors of Success in the Middle Act
Senate Sponsor: Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
4 Cosponsors include:
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
- Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
House Sponsor: Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
9 Cosponsors include:
- Rep. Yvette Clark (D-NY)
- Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
- Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
- Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL)
- Rep. James Langevin (D-RI)
- Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
- Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
- Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)
- Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY)
Quotes from NMSA Leaders in Support of Success in the Middle Bills
"A quality K-12 education is based upon a strong program at each step along the way, and middle level education is an essential part of a student's educational journey. The "Success in the Middle" legislation offers much needed support to struggling middle level students and the schools that serve them."
Betty Edwards
Executive Director, NMSA
"Though the middle grades are a crucial link in the education continuum, they have been overlooked for many years. The Success in the Middle Act changes this by bringing much needed federal support and attention to low performing middle schools. The interventions proposed in this act can make success in the middle a reality for every student."
Theresa Hinkle
President, NMSA