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Whole Child Resolution (H. Res. 658) Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives

  • 07/09/14

Alexandria, Va.—ASCD, a global community dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading, is pleased to announce that Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced a bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 658) supporting the whole child approach to education on Tuesday, July 8. ASCD's policy team worked with both members to develop the resolution language and will continue to generate additional support. ASCD is encouraging educators to ask their own representatives to become co-sponsors.

"ASCD believes all students must be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged in order to receive an education that will prepare them for college, career, and citizenship," said David Griffith, ASCD's director of public policy. "Congresswoman Bonamici and Congressman Davis have shown a great commitment to our nation's children by introducing the Whole Child Resolution in the House of Representatives. This is an important first step toward developing policies that effectively promote each student's long-term learning, development, and success."

The resolution states that the U.S. House of Representatives

  • recognizes the benefit of ensuring students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged;
  • encourages parents, educators, and community members to support a whole child approach to education for each student; and
  • encourages the federal government to identify opportunities among federal agencies to coordinate the education, health, and social service sectors serving our nation's youth.

"Many factors influence how successful students are in school, and often those come from outside the classroom," Congresswoman Bonamici said. "This resolution calls attention to the role of parents, guardians, and community members—as well as educators—in helping students succeed. Importantly, the resolution reminds us that, although not all students are the same, they all deserve the same opportunity to achieve success and thrive."

"As a parent of three school-aged children, I know every child is unique and has different needs," Congressman Davis said. "Encouraging the involvement of parents, educators, and community members so students feel safe, challenged, and engaged at school is critical to improving our country's education system, increasing graduation rates, and adding to our national economy. Illinois has supported whole-child education since 2012, when lawmakers designated March as Whole Child Month to promote a comprehensive approach to educating Illinois students, and I look forward to the U.S. House joining my home state to honor the whole child approach."

For more information on ASCD's 2014 public policy priorities and legislative agenda, visit www.ascd.org/policy. To view ASCD's Whole Child Snapshots, measuring how well all 50 states and the nation are supporting the whole child, visit www.ascd.org/wholechildsnapshots. You can also find out more about ASCD's other programs, products, services, and memberships at www.ascd.org.

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