Whereas each student deserves to be challenged academically, exposed to a comprehensive education that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and technical skills, and prepared for higher education, meaningful employment in our global economy, and lifelong success;

Whereas each student deserves to be supported by qualified, caring adults and receive access to personalized learning;

Whereas each student deserves to learn about and practice a healthy lifestyle;

Whereas each student deserves to learn in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe;

Whereas each student deserves to be actively engaged in learning and connected to the school and broader community;

Whereas the consequences of not ensuring that our young people are challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged are clear;

Whereas the average graduation rate for United States students rose to 87 percent in 2021–2022, but the graduation rate the same year for students with disabilities was only 71 percent, the rate for English language learners was 72 percent, and the rate for economically disadvantaged students was 81 percent;

Whereas the National Academy of Medicine recommends all youth be active for at least 60 minutes each day, and higher academic achievement, lower absenteeism, and lower incidences of obesity are associated with daily physical activity;

Whereas most students consume as many as half their meals in school, schools play a crucial role in teaching children about healthy lifestyles, and students who have access to nutritious school foods and opportunities to learn about healthy foods are less likely to be absent and are more attentive in school;

Whereas students who feel unsafe in school are more prone to truancy and disruptive behaviors, have lower grades, and may drop out of school entirely, and according to the Indicators of School Crime and Safety report of 2022–2023, 19.2 percent of middle and high school students reported being bullied and 21.6 percent reported being electronically bullied during the 2022–2023 school year;

Whereas the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a report entitled Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID–19 on America’s Students, which highlights how the public health crisis disrupted our Nation’s education system and exacerbated longstanding inequities in school systems;

Whereas the post-pandemic school years have demonstrated the ongoing disparities in education, including in the areas of access to technology, behavioral health services, and other aids and services, which have disproportionately affected students of color, English-language learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families; and

Whereas the Partnership for 21st Century Skills reports that future employees must know how to communicate, collaborate, be creative, and think critically: Now, therefore, be it