[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 168 (Tuesday, November 10, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 351--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 9, 
                2009, AS NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK

  Mrs. LINCOLN submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 351

       Whereas all children and youth learn best when they are 
     healthy, supported, and receive an education that meets their 
     individual needs;
       Whereas schools can more effectively ensure that all 
     students are ready and able to learn if schools meet all the 
     needs of each student;
       Whereas learning and development are directly linked to the 
     mental health of children, and a supportive learning 
     environment is an optimal place to promote mental health;
       Whereas sound psychological principles are critical to 
     proper instruction and learning, social and emotional 
     development, prevention and early intervention, and support 
     for a culturally diverse student population;
       Whereas school psychologists are specially trained to 
     deliver mental health services and academic support that 
     lower barriers to learning and allow teachers to teach more 
     effectively;
       Whereas school psychologists facilitate collaboration that 
     helps parents and educators identify and reduce risk factors, 
     promote protective factors, create safe schools, and access 
     community resources;
       Whereas school psychologists are trained to assess barriers 
     to learning, utilize data-based decisionmaking, implement 
     research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, 
     evaluate outcomes, and improve accountability;
       Whereas State educational agencies and other State 
     entitities credential more than 35,000 school psychologists 
     who practice in schools in the United States as key 
     professionals that promote the learning and mental health of 
     all children;
       Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists 
     establishes and maintains high standards for training, 
     practice, and school psychologist credentialing, in 
     collaboration with organizations such as the American 
     Psychological Association, that promote effective and ethical 
     services by school psychologists to children, families, and 
     schools; and
       Whereas the people of the United States should recognize 
     the vital role school psychologists play in the personal and 
     academic development of the Nation's children: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning on November 9, 2009, as 
     National School Psychology Week;
       (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of school 
     psychologists to the success of students in schools across 
     the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that 
     promote awareness of the vital role school psychologists play 
     in schools, in the community, and in helping students develop 
     into successful and productive members of society.

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