PowerPoint Presentation Educational Equity Compliance

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Bust the Bullies
Slurs Name Calling
Sexual Banter How To Stop It And
Why! Presented by Julie Hall,
Coordinator Educational Equity Compliance
Office [phone]
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Objectives

• Increase knowledge of state/federal
  nondiscrimination laws and District policies that
  relate to bullying
• Recognize/prevent discrimination, harassment and
  bullying
• Create educational excellence through safe and
  equitable school environments

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What is Bullying???
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Magnitude of the Problem

• According to the National Association of School
• Psychologists
• About one in seven school children is a bully or
  a victim
• The problem affects about five million elementary
  and middle school students in the U.S.
• For fourth through eighth graders, 22 percent
  report academic difficulties resulting from peer
  abuse

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Negative Effects of Bullying

• Discipline problems
• Failing/dropping out
• Ex) 110 students drops out of school
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Suicidal, retaliatory, or violent
• Ex) 2/3 of school shootings were directly
  correlated to bullying (US Secret Service)

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Negative Effects of Bullying

• Diminished sense of security
• Expending energy to avoid harm at school rather
  than to learn
• May come to believe bullying is acceptable
• Attendance issues, school phobia
• Ex) About 160,000 students in the U.S. miss
  school every day due to fear of being
  attacked/intimidated

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Negative Effects of Bullying

• Bullying escalates without intervention
• Bullies engage in other types of antisocial
  behavior/crime later in life
• Potential for litigation
• School climate is adversely affected

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Laws and regulations that prohibit unlawful
harassment

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972
• Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504
• The School Safety and Violence Prevention Act of
  2000 (Ed. Code 220)

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District Policy

• Sexual Harassment/Title IX Policies
• Non-Discrimination Policy
• Uniform Complaint Procedure

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Working Definition of Hostile Environment
Harassment

• 1. Unwelcome
• 2. conduct that targets a protected category
• 3. is so severe or pervasive
• 4. that it limits ones ability to participate
  in a program or activity.

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Case Study

• How would you intervene?

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If you receive a complaint from a student

• Give student your immediate attention, if
  possible
• Be a good listener and make no preliminary
  judgments
• Take students seriously
• Support the victim
• Let victims know it is not their fault

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If you receive a complaint from a student

• Document complaint investigation follow-up
• Keep parents informed
• Have separate parent conferences with parents of
  the bully and the victim
• Provide a buddy system and a safe path back if
  necessary
• Monitor alleged behavior to reduce reoccurrences

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How Can You Make a Difference?

• Survey students/staff/parents
• Identify bullying hot spots
• Post complaint manager posters
• Establish school/classroom rules that prohibit
  bullying and harassment
• Have clear sanctions and enforce school rules
  equitably

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What can we do

• Make staff /students aware of confidential
  reporting/investigative systems available
• Immediately put a stop to slurs/bullying behavior
  
• Provide strategic supervision
• Identify/respond to all incidents of
  bullying/harassment

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Anything else?...

• Provide students with bi-annual orientation
  regarding their right not to be discriminated
  against
• Dialogue with students regarding definitions of
  bullying/harassment
• Empower students via conflict resolution, peer
  counseling and assertiveness training
• Implement curricula (i.e. Second Step),
  character education, books, videos and role play

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What else can we do?

• Challenge stereotyped messages
• Model appropriate interactions
• Provide opportunities to develop good
  interpersonal skills
• Institute cooperative learning
• Reward students for positive, inclusive behavior.

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Activities you can do...

• School activities to recognize uniqueness
• Bully boxes where students can put notes
  regarding bullying
• No-bullying day campaign
• Older students discuss bullying issues with
  younger students
• Referrals to mental health and other appropriate
  resources

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For more information call

• Educational Equity Compliance Office
• [phone]
• Health Education Programs
• [phone]