# Understanding House Resolution 892: The Whole Child Approach to Education

This resolution is essentially Congress saying "we support educating the whole child, not just academics." It's not a law that creates new requirements or funding—it's more like an official statement of support for an educational philosophy. The resolution recognizes that students need more than just math and reading lessons to succeed. It calls for schools to focus on five key areas: academic challenge, emotional and physical support from caring adults, healthy lifestyle habits, safe learning environments, and genuine engagement with school and community.

The resolution highlights real problems that show why this approach matters. It points out that while the overall high school graduation rate is 87 percent, it drops to 71 percent for students with disabilities and English language learners, and 81 percent for economically disadvantaged students. The resolution also notes that 77 percent of public schools reported violence, theft, or other crimes, and that bullying remains a significant problem. It emphasizes that students who feel unsafe or unhealthy tend to skip school more, get worse grades, and are more likely to drop out entirely. The resolution also mentions that COVID-19 made existing inequalities worse, with students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities being hit hardest by disruptions to education and mental health services.

What this means in practice is that the resolution encourages parents, teachers, school administrators, and community members to work together to address the whole student—not just test scores. It also asks the federal government to coordinate better between education agencies, health services, and social services so that schools can connect students with the support they need. While this resolution doesn't mandate specific changes or allocate money, it signals that Congress believes schools should be thinking about student wellness, safety, and engagement alongside traditional academics.

Expressing support for a whole child approach to education and recognizing the role of parents, educators, and community members in providing a whole child approach to education for each student.

Bonamici, Suzanne

<p>This resolution expresses support for a whole child approach to education and encourages parents, educators, administrators, and community members to support this approach for each student. &nbsp;</p>