D.A.S.A. & Bullying Prevention

Dignity For All Students Act Tracy Manor and Wanda McQueen November 2012

Why DASA ?

What will YOU do…?

http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/

New York State Dignity for all Students Act



New legislation to ensure New York State students a learning experience that is free of discrimination or harassment.



Went into effect July 1, 2012



Applies to public schools, charter schools, and BOCES



Applies to incidents on school property ( in school building, athletic field, playground, parking lot, bus)



Applies to school sponsored functions, events/activities

New York State: Dignity for All Students Act - DASA

The goal of the Dignity Act is to promote a safe and supportive learning environment in all public schools, free from harassment and discrimination.

Who is Protected Under the Dignity Act?

The Dignity Act protects all public school students in NYS from harassment or discrimination by other students or adults.

The Dignity Act does not protect adults. However, school districts are encouraged to include adults in their anti harassment and anti discrimination policies.

Federal Laws

 Title VI - Civil Rights Act discrimination based on race, color, or nationality  Title IX - Education Amendments discrimination based on a person’s sex  Section 504 - Rehabilitation Act and Title II - Americans with Disabilities Act discrimination on the basis of disability.

DASA EXPANDS PROTECTED CLASSES:



The Di g nity Act prohibits harassment and discrimination of individuals on school property or at a school function based upon a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.



Expands protected classes above to include: gender weight religion religious practice ethnic group sexual orientation.

Dignity Act Coordinator

 The Coordinator must receive training in the provisions of the Dignity Act and be thoroughly trained in methods to respond to handle human relations in the protected areas.

 Approved by the Board of Education.  Dignity Act Coordinator name and contact information must be made available to all school personnel, students and persons in parental relations.

Staff Training Components

 To promote a positive school environment free from discrimination and harassment.

 To raise awareness and sensitivity to potential acts of discrimination and/or harassment and understanding of the C of C.

 To enable employees to prevent and respond to incidents.

 Guidelines relating to development of nondiscriminatory instructional and counseling methods – (cultural competence).

School Districts need to…

 Revise Code of Conduct AND adopt policies to create safe environment.

 Adopt guidelines to be used in training programs that raise awareness and enable them to respond appropriately.

 Designate one staff in each building to be trained in handling human relations.

 Promote a positive school climate AND instruction on civility.

 Report material incidents to NYSDOE annually.

Bullying/Cyber Bullying?

Harassment is the creation of a hostile environment that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a students' educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being.

Bullying is an intentional form of harassment that creates an imbalance of power and is repeated.

Cyberbullying is simply using technology as the mode of harassment.

From Tolerance to ACCEPTANCE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Every

School

Can…

Every

Teacher

Can…

Every

Student

Can…

Every

Parent

Should…

APPR & Dignity For All Students

 Employing multi-tiered strategies in a school community will assist in creating a dynamic learning environment that supports achievement & growth.

 NYSUT’s Teacher Practice Rubric  Standard IV: Learning Environment

MULTI-TIERED STRATEGIES Mental Health Clinics Wraparound support Renew Mapping LGBT Healthy Relationships Adventure Based Learning (ABL) Families and Schools Together (FAST) Student Leadership Banana Splits Check in/Check out Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Mentoring

Invisible Mentoring Developmental Asset Builders Bullying Surveys DATA-SWIS SDQ Anonymous Tip Line Challenge Day Rachel’s Challenge PR-Posters “Stop Walk Talk” Contests, ISAB Awards Class Meetings “See It Say It Stop It” School-Wide Initiatives: PBIS, Olweus, etc Civility Instruction

BEST PRACTICES…

         Assess the School Climate.

Set aside 20-30 minutes a week for class discussions.

Increase supervision in “hot spots” Involve students in prevention plans!

Encourage parent involvement.

Training for ALL.

Integrate anti-bullying themes in curriculum.

Investigate and resolve quickly.

Create a school-wide climate of caring connections.

In a Truly Safe School Every Student Feels Like…

 They Belong.

 They are Valued.

 They Feel Physically and Emotionally Safe.