The Dignity for All Students Act

Smiling teens in outline of New York State New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.

The Dignity Act was signed into law on September 13, 2010 and takes effect on July 1, 2012.

This legislation amended State Education Law by creating a new Article 2 – Dignity for All Students. The Dignity Act also amended Section 801-a of New York State Education Law regarding instruction in civility, citizenship, and character education by expanding the concepts of tolerance, respect for others and dignity to include: an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people, including but not limited to, different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientations, gender identity, and sexes. The Dignity Act further amended Section 2801 of the Education Law by requiring Boards of Education to include language addressing The Dignity Act in their codes of conduct.

Additionally, under the Dignity Act, schools will be responsible for collecting and reporting data regarding material incidents of discrimination and harassment.

***DIGNITY ACT NEWS***

The New York State Education Department (SED) and the Dignity Act Local Policy and Implementation Task Force have developed the following guidance document to assist schools in updating their Codes of Conduct in accordance with the requirements of the Dignity Act and its implementing regulations (Education Law §12[2] and 8 NYCRR §100.2[l][2]). (4/10/12)
The Dignity Act Voluntary Implementation Self-Assessment Tool was developed as an optional tool to assist BOCES, school districts, and charter schools as they work to implement the various components of the Dignity for All Students Act. This voluntary Self-Assessment Tool is designed for internal use only and should not be submitted to the State Education Department. Questions on the Dignity Act Voluntary Implementation Self-Assessment Tool may be directed to DASA@MAIL.NYSED.GOV. (4/9/12)
Update on the Dignity for All Students Act and Regulatory Amendments: This document provides an update pertaining to the implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act (Dignity Act). (3/26/12)
The NYS Board of Regents recently took action to amend Commissioner's Regulations directly related to the Dignity Act. These include regulations on the Code of Conduct, as well as Instruction in Civility, Citizenship, and Character Education. See:
http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/March2012/312p12a4.pdf
http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/March2012/312p12a3.pdf (3/22/12)
In addition, the following regulatory amendments take effect on July 1, 2012: http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/March2012/312p12educationcommitteereport.html(3/22/12)