III 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 96 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 25, 2025 Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Reed , Mr. Kaine , Ms. Hirono , Mr. King , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Van Hollen , Mrs. Shaheen , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Booker , Mr. Gallego , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Welch , Ms. Blunt Rochester , Mr. Peters , Ms. Klobuchar , Mrs. Murray , Ms. Cantwell , Ms. Baldwin , and Mr. Padilla ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, as Public Schools Week .

Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 21st-century democracy; Whereas public schools in the United States educate students about the values and beliefs that hold the individuals of the United States together as a nation; Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the United States to contribute to the society, economy, and citizenry of the country; Whereas 87 percent of children in the United States attend public schools; Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should— (1) prioritize support for strengthening the public schools of the United States; (2) empower superintendents, principals, and other school leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts and schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders; and (3) support services and programs that are critical to helping students engage in learning, including counseling, extracurricular activities, and mental health support; Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and high-quality environments in which children can learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships; Whereas public schools should provide environments in which all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where a student lives; Whereas Congress should support— (1) efforts to advance equal opportunity and excellence in public education; (2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public education; and (3) continuous improvements to public education; Whereas every child should— (1) receive an education that helps the child reach the full potential of the child; and (2) attend a school that offers a high-quality educational experience; Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local funds, supports the access of students to inviting classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool programs; Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to create joy in learning; Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools vital components of communities and are working hard to improve educational outcomes for children across the country; and Whereas the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, is an appropriate period to designate as “Public Schools Week”: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate designates the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025 as Public Schools Week .