III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 683 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 9, 2024 Ms. Hassan (for herself, Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Kaine , and Ms. Collins ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of the week of April 29 through May 3, 2024, as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week .

Whereas there are more than 1,000,000 specialized instructional support personnel serving the schools and students of the United States, including— (1) school counselors; (2) school social workers; (3) school psychologists; and (4) other qualified professional personnel, such as— (A) school nurses; (B) psychologists; (C) social workers; (D) occupational therapists; (E) physical therapists; (F) art therapists; (G) dance and movement therapists; (H) music therapists; (I) speech-language pathologists; and (J) audiologists; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel provide school-based prevention and early intervention services to reduce barriers to learning; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel work with teachers, school leaders, and parents to ensure that all students are successful in school; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to promote student and school success; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel provide educational, social, emotional, and behavioral interventions and activities that support— (1) student learning; and (2) teaching; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel help to create environments that are safe, supportive, and conducive to learning; Whereas safe and supportive school environments are associated with improved academic performance; Whereas specialized instructional support personnel support— (1) student communication; (2) the development of social skills by students; (3) the physical wellness of students; (4) the physical development of students; and (5) the behavioral, emotional, and mental health of students; and Whereas specialized instructional support personnel serve all students who struggle with barriers to learning: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of April 29 through May 3, 2024, as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week ; (2) recognizes that specialized instructional support personnel implement evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes; (3) commends— (A) those individuals who work as specialized instructional support personnel; and (B) the individuals and organizations that support the efforts made by specialized instructional support personnel to promote and improve the availability of specialized instructional support services; (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to work together to raise awareness of the importance of specialized instructional support personnel in school climate and education efforts; (5) recognizes the important role of specialized instructional support personnel in efforts to improve mental health, reduce drug use, and improve overall community safety for students; and (6) encourages experts to share best practices so that others can replicate the success of those experts.