Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SR814

Caption

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Literacy Month".

Impact

The resolution calls on federal, state, and local governments, schools, libraries, organizations, and individuals to participate in activities that promote literacy during September 2024. By establishing a dedicated month to raise awareness about literacy, SR814 intends to mobilize resources, stimulate discussions around effective literacy programs, and advocate for accessible reading materials. Such initiatives are observed as vital for fostering effective literacy strategies, especially in underserved communities where reading skills directly correlate with future success.

Summary

SR814 is a resolution designating September 2024 as 'National Literacy Month'. It highlights the critical importance of reading as a foundation for personal and economic development. The resolution emphasizes the alarming statistics regarding reading proficiency in the United States, citing that approximately 48 million adults cannot read above a third-grade level, which contributes to broader social issues such as lower high school graduation rates and a higher likelihood of incarceration. The resolution also points to disparities faced by students of color and those from low-income backgrounds in accessing effective literacy education.

Contention

While the resolution itself is largely non-controversial, it exists within a larger context of ongoing discussions about educational policy and funding for literacy programs. Advocates argue that increased focus on literacy can lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers by reducing the economic burdens associated with adult illiteracy, projected to be over $224 billion annually. However, there could be underlying contention regarding how effectively states and localities can implement measures called for in the resolution, particularly in the face of budget constraints and varying educational policies.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SR822

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Voting Rights Month".

US SR839

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Student Parent Month".

US SR566

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2024, as "LDL-C Awareness Day".

US SR496

A resolution designating September 2023 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2023, as LDL-C Awareness Day.

US SR821

A resolution expressing support for designation of the week of September 15 through 21, 2024, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week".

US SR350

A resolution designating September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month".

US SR841

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month".

US SR658

A resolution designating April 2024 as "Financial Literacy Month".

US HR1453

Expressing support for the designation of September 2024 as "National Workforce Development Month".

US SR915

A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month".

Similar Bills

CA AB2284

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LA SB222

Provides relative to early literacy. (8/1/21) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

CA SB135

Pupil instruction: media literacy: model curriculum.

CA AB2465

Pupil instruction: third-grade literacy: literacy grant program.

LA HB911

Provides relative to early literacy (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)

CA SB830

Pupil instruction: media literacy: resources.

MI HB4961

Education: curriculum; environmental literacy task force to develop environmental literacy model curriculum and report on the curriculum; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1159.

MI SR0141

A resolution to recognize October 2024 as Health Literacy Month.