III
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 441
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—
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;
includes conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia; and
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—
more than 95 percent of 4th and 8th grade students with a specific learning disability were not proficient in reading; and
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
That the Senate—
designates October 2023 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
; and
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.