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Upcoming Events
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Alberti Center Events
"Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying"
September 19, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Millennium Hotel Buffalo
Cheektowaga, NY
Colloquium Series
"Peer Sexual Harassment Among High School Students: A Common and Complex Problem"
September 20, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
120 Clemens Hall | UB North Campus
Buffalo, NY
More Information and Registration
Colloquium Series "Bullying in Colombia: The Efforts and Challenges of a Latin-American Country"
Featuring Natalia Cárdenas Zuluaga
October 24, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
120 Clemens Hall | UB North Campus
Buffalo, NY
Other Events & Presentations
Suicide Prevention Week Speaker
Featuring Stacy Pershall
7:00 p.m.
Student Union Theater and Lobby
UB North Campus
Buffalo, NY
Hosted by: UB Student Wellness Team
Co-Sponsored by: Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention
The Anne Frank Project Conference
"Our Shared Humanity: Embracing Responsibility"
September 12-15, 2012
Buffalo State College
Buffalo, NY
NY State School Counselor Association Conference
"School Counselors: Preparing Today's Students to be Tomorrow's Leaders"
November 9-10, 2012
The Albany Marriott Hotel
Albany, NY
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Featured Resources
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Bullying. No Way! Website
School Climate 2.0: Preventing Cyberbullying and Sexting One Classroom at a Time
(Hinduja & Patchin, 2012) |
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NY State Dignity for All Students Act: What to Expect
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As the new school year unfolds, the provisions of the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) will have widespread impact upon NY State schools and educational practices. The intent of this legislation is to "promote civility in public schools and to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with a school's education mission." This law is intended to prohibit harassment or discrimination of students by employees or students.
DASA includes, but is not limited to, acts of discrimination and harassment based on a student's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (defined to include gender identity or expression), or sex. These eleven categories are referred to as protected classes.
The new law, which took effect on July 1, 2012, includes provisions that will alter reporting, codes of conduct, professional development, and classroom instruction. At least one highly-trained employee will be designated as a Dignity Act Coordinator and will be responsible for receiving and reporting incidents. Codes of conduct, which are required in every school district, must be made available in age-appropriate language and disseminated to all stakeholders, including through mandatory posting on school websites. More specifically, they will be amended to include "provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment against any student by employees or students on school property or at a school function, that creates a hostile environment by conduct, with or without physical contact and/or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse." Overall, the focus of the Code of Conduct should be to create a safe and supportive school climate and positive student behavior.
Implications for teaching and learning include designing "classroom instruction that supports the development of a school environment free of discrimination and harassment." More specifically, lesson plans are required to include subject matters of civility, citizenship and character education with regard to all eleven protected classes.
Employee training programs for instructional and non-instruction staff will be provided on an annual basis "to promote a positive school environment that is free from discrimination and harassment; and to discourage and respond to incidents of discrimination and/or harassment on school property or at a school function." This training should be designed to promote awareness and sensitivity as well as ways to prevent and respond to incidents of discrimination and harassment. Training is also required in raising awareness and understanding of the Code of Conduct.
More information on the Dignity for All Students Act.
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New Cyberbullying Legislation in NY State
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"This past session, the New York State Legislature took a step towards combating cyberbullying in our schools by amending the Dignity for All Students Act to specifically include cyberbullying within the definition of harassment and bullying," says the Honorable Raymond W. Walter, member of the New York State Assembly, 148th District. "This amendment not only addresses cyberbullying within schools but also incidents that occur off of school property that could foreseeably disrupt the school environment."
This law takes effect July 1, 2013, and will make New York State one of only 15 states that have included the terminology of "cyberbullying" in legislation about bullying (Hinduja & Patchin, 2012). "While this amendment strengthens the Dignity Act," says Hon. Walter, "there is more to be done. We must continue to look at ways to address cyberbullying, including possible changes to the penal law definition of harassment in order to properly address the most extreme cases of cyberbullying."
Read the complete legislation.
More information on this topic.
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Featured F.A.Q.
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Question:
Cyberbullying seems like an inescapable and insurmountable problem, between the 24/7 access and frequent anonymity. What suggestions do you have for families about how to help prevent cyberbullying from occurring and how to respond should an incident occur?
Answer: There are a number of approaches that you, as a parent, can take to help prevent cyberbullying: model appropriate technology use, monitor your child's activities with his or her technology, use filtering and blocking software, and develop an "Internet or Phone Use Contract," among other strategies. If cyberbullying is occurring, avoid responding, as this may escalate the situation, save a copy of all relevant information and correspondences, and report the bullying. It is also important to work with your child to make sure he or she feels safe, supported, and secure.
For additional information, suggestions, and strategies, visit the Cyberbullying Research Center, who will be providing in-depth sessions at the September 19th Alberti Center Annual Conference - "Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying."
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