I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7704 
To require the Secretary of Education to conduct a study and submit a 
report on the effect of education policies during the COVID–19 pandemic 
on the academic achievement and functional performance of students 
with an individualized education program, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 15, 2024 
Mr. MOLINARO (for himself and Ms. PEREZ) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Education to conduct a study 
and submit a report on the effect of education policies 
during the COVID–19 pandemic on the academic 
achievement and functional performance of students with 
an individualized education program, and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Think DIF-
FERENTLY About Ending Learning Loss Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF COVID–19 
PANDEMIC POLICIES ON STUDENTS WITH AN 
IEP. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall conduct a 
study on the effect of Federal and State education policies 
during the COVID–19 pandemic on the academic achieve-
ment and functional performance of students with an IEP, 
including policies related to remote learning and the sus-
pension or reduction of special education and related serv-
ices. 
(1) SCOPE.—Such study shall be conducted 
with respect to the 2018–2019 school year through 
the 2023–2024 school year, and shall compare— 
(A) the academic achievement and func-
tional performance of students with an IEP be-
fore, during, and after the COVID–19 pan-
demic; and 
(B) the access of such students to special 
education and related services before, during, 
and after the COVID–19 pandemic. 
(2) METRICS.—For the purposes of such study, 
the Secretary shall measure academic achievement 
and functional performance, and access to special 
education and related services, of students with an 
IEP using metrics that include— 
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(A) results of any standardized testing and 
assessments available for the school years de-
scribed in paragraph (1); 
(B) hours of special education and related 
services provided to such students in accordance 
with their individualized education programs 
during the school years described in paragraph 
(1); 
(C) reports on the progress of such stu-
dents toward meeting the annual goals and, if 
appropriate, benchmarks or short-term objec-
tives, of an individualized education program 
pursuant to subclauses (I) and (II) of section 
614(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Individuals with Disabil-
ities Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(I) and 
(II)) during the school years described in para-
graph (1) of this subsection; and 
(D) consultation with stakeholders, includ-
ing educators, family members, service pro-
viders, and students. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the com-
pletion of the study conducted under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall submit a summary of the findings of such 
study to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
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