[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4725-S4726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 373--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17 THROUGH 
  SEPTEMBER 23, 2023, AS ``COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS APPRECIATION 
                                 WEEK''

  Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Durbin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 373

       Whereas community schools marshal, align, and unite the 
     assets, resources, and capacity of schools and communities 
     for the success of students, families, and communities;
       Whereas community schools are an effective and evidence-
     based strategy for school improvement included under section 
     4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7275), as added by section 4601 of the Every 
     Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95; 129 Stat. 2029);
       Whereas community schools that provide integrated student 
     supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, 
     and active family and community engagement and that use 
     collaborative leadership and practices have positive academic 
     and non-academic outcomes, including--
       (1) improvements in--
          (A) student attendance;
          (B) behavior;
          (C) academic achievement;
          (D) mental and physical health;
          (E) high school graduation rates; and
          (F) school climate; and
       (2) reduced racial and economic achievement gaps;
       Whereas community schools have the potential for helping 
     people of the United States from underserved communities, as 
     indicated in a 2021 report;
       Whereas a 2019 report found that mental health care 
     provided through community schools improved access to care, 
     academic performance, and student conduct, including reducing 
     the number of school suspensions and disciplinary referrals;
       Whereas a 2020 study found that community schools in New 
     York City had a positive impact on student attendance, on-
     time grade progression, and credit accumulation for high 
     school students;
       Whereas a 2016 report found early indicators that community 
     schools in Baltimore led to improved family-school 
     engagement;
       Whereas community schools provide a strong social return on 
     investment, with one study citing a social return of $3 to 
     $15 for every dollar invested;
       Whereas community school coordinators--
       (1) are essential to building successful community schools 
     and creating, strengthening, and maintaining partnerships 
     between community schools and their communities;
       (2) facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative 
     process and development of a system of supports and 
     opportunities for children, families, and others within the 
     community of a school that allow all students to learn and 
     the community to thrive; and
       (3) deliver a strong monetary return on investment for 
     community schools and their communities, with one study 
     citing a return of $7.11 for every dollar invested in the 
     salary of a community school coordinator; and
       Whereas Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week, 
     celebrated from September 17 through September 23, 2023, 
     recognizes, raises awareness of, and celebrates the thousands 
     of community school coordinators across the country and the 
     critical role of community school coordinators in the success 
     of students: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page S4726]]

       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of September 17 through September 
     23, 2023, as ``Community School Coordinators Appreciation 
     Week'';
       (2) thanks community school coordinators for the work they 
     do to serve students, families, and communities; and
       (3) encourages students, parents, school administrators, 
     and public officials to participate in events that celebrate 
     Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week.

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