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1999 SESSION

991079324
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 678
Offered January 21, 1999
Requesting the Department of Education to study age-appropriate techniques to improve the memory of students.
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Patrons-- Marshall, Councill, Darner, Day, Diamonstein, Dillard and Hamilton
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Referred to Committee on Education
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WHEREAS, human memory is the mental ability to retain and recall facts and past experiences; and

WHEREAS, neuroscientists and cognitive researchers have explored and unraveled many mysteries concerning the brain and its marvelous ability to store and retrieve information; and

WHEREAS, students must learn and recall many facts and figures during their school careers, yet few educators use the data and information learned from highly sophisticated and technical research findings on the brain and memory to enhance learning in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, much of what we require students to learn requires strong reading and comprehension skills, short-term and long-term memory, and the ability to make associations between events and facts and to understand the significance of such facts; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that individuals can be trained to use more of their mental abilities, and such techniques are now used by scientists, mathematicians, business tycoons, athletes, and other professionals who are required to recall complicated data and information and to apply facts that they remember; and

WHEREAS, given a more rigorous curriculum and stringent requirements that affect all students, enhanced learning and improved test scores may result if teachers are encouraged to make effective use of sound medical research findings on the brain and its capacity for recall and application of facts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Education be requested to study age-appropriate techniques to improve the memory of students. In conducting the study, the Department shall examine the need for strong reading, speed, and comprehension skills vis-à-vis course work and curriculum content requirements; consider the medical and scientific foundation regarding the human capacity for memory; review information concerning the effectiveness of memory training enhancement and memory recall techniques; identify ways to help students stretch their minds to comprehend, recall, and apply facts, understand the significance of facts, and use memory techniques for success in the classroom and on tests; and disseminate the Department’s findings to all school divisions. The Department shall conduct a literature search regarding the use of memory training enhancement and recall techniques, confer with neuroscientists, cognition research experts, the medical profession, reading specialists, and educators who have used memory course work and techniques to assist students in learning.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department, upon request.

The Department shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2000 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.