[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 876 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 876

    Expressing support for a whole child approach to education and 
 recognizing the role of parents, educators, and community members in 
    providing a whole child approach to education for each student.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 17, 2023

Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 
                               Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for a whole child approach to education and 
 recognizing the role of parents, educators, and community members in 
    providing a whole child approach to education for each student.

Whereas each student deserves to be challenged academically, exposed to a 
        comprehensive education that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and 
        technical skills to be prepared for higher education and meaningful 
        employment in our global economy, and lifelong success;
Whereas each student deserves to be supported by qualified, caring adults and 
        receive access to personalized learning;
Whereas each student deserves to learn about and practice a healthy lifestyle;
Whereas each student deserves to learn in an environment that is physically and 
        emotionally safe;
Whereas each student deserves to be actively engaged in learning and connected 
        to the school and broader community;
Whereas the consequences of not ensuring that our young people are challenged, 
        supported, healthy, safe, and engaged are clear;
Whereas the average graduation rate for United States students rose to 85 
        percent in 2016-2017, but the graduation rate the same year for students 
        with disabilities was only 67 percent, the rate for English language 
        learners was 66 percent, and the rate for economically disadvantaged 
        students was 78 percent;
Whereas the National Academy of Medicine recommends all youth be active for 60 
        minutes each day, and higher academic achievement, lower absenteeism, 
        and lower incidences of obesity are associated with daily physical 
        activity;
Whereas most students consume as many as half their meals in school, schools 
        play a crucial role in teaching children about healthy lifestyles, and 
        students who have access to nutritious school foods and opportunities to 
        learn about healthy foods are less likely to be absent and are more 
        attentive in school;
Whereas students who feel unsafe in school are more prone to truancy and 
        disruptive behaviors, have lower grades, and may drop out of school 
        entirely, and according to the Indicators of School Crime and Safety 
        report of 2018, 79 percent of public schools reported one or more 
        incidents of violence, theft, or other crimes from 2015 to 2016, and 20 
        percent of middle and high school students reported being bullied during 
        the 2017 school year;
Whereas the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights released a report 
        entitled ``Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on 
        America's Students'', which highlights how the current public health 
        crisis has disrupted our Nation's education system and exacerbated 
        longstanding inequities in school systems;
Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has widened disparities in education, including in 
        the areas of access to technology, behavioral health services, and other 
        aids and services, which have disproportionately affected students of 
        color, English-language learners, students with disabilities, and 
        students from low-income families; and
Whereas the Partnership for 21st Century Skills reports that future employees 
        must know how to communicate, collaborate, be creative, and think 
        critically: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for a whole child approach to 
        education;
            (2) recognizes the benefit of ensuring that students are 
        challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged;
            (3) encourages parents, educators, and community members to 
        support a whole child approach to education for each student; 
        and
            (4) encourages the Federal Government to identify 
        opportunities among Federal agencies to coordinate the 
        education, health, and social service sectors serving youth in 
        the United States.
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