[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7087-H7088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1645) expressing support for designation of the
week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1645
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
lowers barriers to learning and allows 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 decision making, implement
research driven prevention and intervention strategies,
evaluate outcomes, and improve accountability;
Whereas State educational agencies and other State entities
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;
Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists
has a Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School
Psychological Services that promotes standards for the
consistent delivery of school psychological services to all
students in need;
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; and
Whereas the week beginning on November 8, 2010, would be an
appropriate week to designate as National School Psychology
Week: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of 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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.
General Leave
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members be
granted 5 legislative days to revise and extend and insert extraneous
material on House Resolution 1645 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
There was no objection.
Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, which
honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists in our
Nation's education system by designating the week of November 8, 2010,
as National School Psychology Week.
School psychologists are mental health professionals with specialized
training who understand that many students face barriers to learning
and need additional support to overcome these barriers and improve
academic and behavioral outcomes. There are more than 35,000
credentialed school psychologists in this country who are essential in
helping children succeed in school.
National School Psychology Week reminds us of the integral role
school psychologists play daily in our schools to help ensure that our
students have an opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
I would like to thank Representative Loebsack for introducing this
important measure and, once again, express my support for House
Resolution 1645.
The work of school psychologists helps reduce high school dropout
rates, decreases problem behaviors, and promotes academic success.
School psychologists work together with youth, parents, and educators
to identify and reduce risk factors, create safe schools, and access
community resources.
Mental health professionals in the academic setting, including school
psychologists, can play an important role in increasing a student's
engagement in school. The results of this work can be seen in absolute,
concrete terms. Research points to higher standardized test scores and
better grades as well as decreased absences and discipline referrals.
School psychologists are a vital resource in helping us narrow the
achievement gap and reducing disproportionate representation of
students from diverse backgrounds in special education.
Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution
1645 which recognizes the week of November 8th as National School
Psychology Week.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, expressing support
for designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National
School Psychology Week.
National School Psychology Week takes place from November 8 to
November 12 this year. Recognizing National School Psychology Week
promotes the importance of providing support for students to help to
create a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment and to help
remove academic and personal barriers to students' success.
[[Page H7088]]
The role of school psychologists is diverse. School psychologists may
help deliver mental health services as well as academic support. These
individuals may also help to assess students to determine what learning
barriers they face and how best to address those barriers.
{time} 1850
The theme of this year's National School Psychology Week is ``today
is a good day to shine.'' This theme focuses on highlighting the
positive work school psychologists do to promote students' academic and
personal success. We recognize National School Psychology Week to show
our support for the efforts school psychologists make to create a
healthy, safe, and positive learning environment. I stand in support of
this resolution.
Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1645,
designating the week of November 8th as National School Psychology
Week. I introduced this Resolution in support of National School
Psychology Week because, were it not for caring adults in my school and
my community, I would not be where I am today. I know from my own
childhood how circumstances outside school can affect a student's
performance in the classroom, so I believe it is extremely important
that our schools have professionals trained to meet students'
nonacademic needs.
School psychologists perform a myriad of functions within schools.
They work with students to improve social, emotional, and behavioral
problems that may affect their ability to succeed in school, assess
barriers to learning, and design and implement behavioral interventions
that help teachers create positive classroom environments.
That is why I would like to take this opportunity to honor and
recognize the professionals that work so hard for our children and
grandchildren in schools across the country. Your efforts on behalf of
our nation's students are appreciated.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the
actions of the House of Representatives in honoring and recognizing the
contributions of school psychologists by designating the week of
November 8, 2010 as National School Psychology Week. I proudly support
H. Res. 1645 and urge my colleagues to support this important piece of
legislation.
During the week of November 8, 2010, we will celebrate the critical
role that school psychologists have in our nation's education system.
It is imperative that our nation's children receive a complete
education. While it is essential that our children take reading,
writing, and arithmetic, a complete education includes proper social,
emotional, and mental development. School psychologists ensure that our
nation's children are receiving the mental health and psychological
development they need to prosper in this world. School psychologists
work with teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors to educate the
whole child. School psychologists play a vital role in the lives of our
nation's children as they are often the first and only mental health
professionals with which our children come in contact.
School psychologists are highly trained individuals that work
directly with students, teachers, and families to form collaborations
that meet the educational needs of our children. The National
Association of School Psychologists establishes and maintains high
standards for training, practice, and school psychologist
credentialing. School psychologists play a special role in promoting
child development, motivating students, and forming collaborations
between teachers, families, and administrators.
I take this time to especially thank the school psychologists in my
home state of Georgia for all of their hard work and dedication. I
encourage all of my constituents in the Fourth District to join in
recognizing school psychologists and the vital role they have in
educating our children.
I join the Chairman in urging my colleagues to support this
resolution.
Mr.CASSIDY. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my
colleagues to support House Resolution 1645. It takes many people to
enable a child to succeed, and school psychologists are definitely
among those.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1645.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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