The Success in the Middle Act of 2011

Summary of House and Senate bills
Text of Senate bill 833
What you can do
Press Release (4/15/2011)

Originally introduced in 2007, and again in 2009, the Success in the Middle Act (H.R. 1547/S. 833), reintroduced by Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), provides needed support to underachieving school systems. The bill provides grants to states to ensure that all students in the middle grades are taught an academically rigorous curriculum with effective supports so that students complete the middle grades prepared for success in secondary school and postsecondary endeavors. The grants also serve to improve state and district policies and programs relating to the academic achievement of students in the middle grades and to develop and implement effective middle grades models for struggling students.

Sponsors:
Sheldon Whitehouse (R-DI)
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

Co-sponsors - Senate:
Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Co-sponsors - House
Danny K. Davis (D-IL)
Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) 
Rush D. Holt (D-NJ)
Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Donald M. Payne (D-NJ) 
Robert C. Scott  (D-VA)

What you can do:
Telephone and/or e-mail your congressional member. Visit www.congress.org to find the contact information for your congressional members. It includes telephone numbers, and also gives you the ability to send an e-mail through an online form.

Tips for calling your federal congressional representative(s)

Call the congressional member's office and ask to speak with the individual who deals with education issues. Be prepared to leave a message.

In your message,

• Identify yourself with your name, school, city, county, and your phone number.
• State you are calling to encourage the (senator/representative) to support The Success in the Middle Act (House bill 1547/Senate bill 833). This legislation provides grants to states to help ensure that ALL students exit the middle grades prepared for success in high school with an academically rigorous curriculum that prepares students for post secondary education and the workplace.
• Ask for support, "We need your support. What does the Congressmember need to support this act? Would the Congressmember co-sponsor the legislation?"
• Offer to send supporting materials to the staff person to share with the congressmember. Thank the staffer for their time and volunteer to be a source for them when they are seeking feedback from home.

Tips for e-mailing your federal congressional representative(s)

Visit www.congress.org and:

• Sign-in or register using the links on the upper right (easy, free registration) 
• Once signed in, your lawmakers appear on the left side 
• Determine the lawmaker you wish to contact and click on "write this official" next to his or her name
• Complete the online form and select "Send Message" 

Watch this website for additional resources on supporting the Success in the Middle Act.