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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING HIGH

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EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

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2019 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Robert M. Spendlove

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Senate Sponsor: Kathleen Riebe

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor encourages high
11     expectations for students with disabilities.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This resolution:
14          ▸     describes the benefits students of all abilities obtain when students with disabilities
15     participate in general education classrooms; and
16          ▸     encourages all stakeholders in the educational system to have and maintain high
17     expectations for all students, including students with disabilities.
18     Special Clauses:
19          None
20     

21     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
22          WHEREAS, there is a significant and persistent achievement gap between students
23     with disabilities and students without disabilities;
24          WHEREAS, more than 80% of students who qualify for services under the Individuals
25     with Disabilities Education Act have disabilities classified as mild to moderate, such as speech
26     delays, learning disabilities, and dyslexia;
27          WHEREAS, there are students with disabilities in most classrooms around the country;

28          WHEREAS, more than half of all students with disabilities spend at least 80% of the
29     school day in general education classrooms;
30          WHEREAS, students with disabilities need quality general education instruction in
31     addition to targeted interventions and accommodations;
32          WHEREAS, time in general education settings for students with disabilities often leads
33     to fewer absences, less disruptive behavior, and better outcomes after high school;
34          WHEREAS, students without disabilities experience new learning and cooperation
35     opportunities when students with disabilities learn in general education classrooms;
36          WHEREAS, what happens between teachers and students in classrooms has a
37     significant impact on student learning and achievement;
38          WHEREAS, research shows that there is a crucial relationship between teacher
39     expectations of students with disabilities and higher levels of achievement amongst these
40     students;
41          WHEREAS, students' mindsets play a key role in their motivation and achievement;
42          WHEREAS, upholding high expectations for all students and promoting cooperative
43     relationships between students of all abilities can reduce the high incidence of stigmatization of
44     students with disabilities; and
45          WHEREAS, having high expectations for all students helps a school community
46     develop an understanding that students with disabilities are first and foremost general
47     education students:
48          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
49     Governor concurring therein, encourages all stakeholders in the educational system, including
50     teachers, parents, administrators, students, and members of the community, to have and
51     maintain high expectations for all students, including students with disabilities.
52          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage school
53     communities to include children with disabilities and their families in all school activities,
54     which promotes cooperative relationships between students of all abilities.
55          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage
56     stakeholders to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each individual student when making
57     educational decisions.
58          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor support schools

59     in implementing best practices in meeting the needs of students of all ability levels, including
60     providing assistive technologies, so that students with disabilities may be enabled to achieve
61     their full potential.