[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 441 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 441

Designating October 2023 as ``National Learning Disabilities Awareness 
                                Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 30, 2023

  Mr. Hickenlooper (for himself and Mr. Budd) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating October 2023 as ``National Learning Disabilities Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
        U.S.C. 1401), a specific learning disability--

    (1) is defined as a disorder in 1 or more of the basic psychological 
processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or 
written, which may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, 
think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations;

    (2) includes conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, 
minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia; and

    (3) does not include a learning problem that is primarily the result of 
visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disabilities, of 
emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic 
disadvantage;

Whereas a specific learning disability is the most prevalent disability of 
        students who are served by parts A through D of the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), impacting 34 
        percent of all students who received special education services;
Whereas, for academic year 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
        reports that--

    (1) more than 95 percent of 4th and 8th grade students with a specific 
learning disability were not proficient in reading; and

    (2) more than 93 percent of 4th and 8th grade students with a specific 
learning disability were not proficient in math;

Whereas the math and reading scores reported by the National Assessment of 
        Educational Progress for academic year 2022 indicate that Black and 
        Hispanic students with a specific learning disability experience greater 
        opportunity gaps than White and Asian students;
Whereas research shows that students with specific learning disabilities can 
        achieve success commensurate with their peers, if given appropriate 
        instruction and support;
Whereas developmentally appropriate universal screening should begin as early as 
        possible to assess which students demonstrate the most pervasive risk 
        factors for specific learning disabilities; and
Whereas research rooted in the science of reading establishes an evidence base 
        of effective instructional methods for developing reading skills for 
        students with or at risk for specific learning disabilities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates October 2023 as ``National Learning 
        Disabilities Awareness Month''; and
            (2) calls on State and local education agencies to continue 
        to meet the needs of students with specific learning 
        disabilities through a free and appropriate public education.
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