Dignity For All Students Act

OVERVIEW

The intent of the amended Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is to provide all public school students with an environment free from harassment, bullying (including cyberbullying), and discrimination, as well as to foster civility in public schools. The Dignity Act focuses on the prevention of discriminatory behaviors, including harassment/bullying, through the promotion of educational measures meant to positively impact school culture and climate. The amended Dignity Act requires that all public school districts (districts) and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) include provisions in their Codes of Conduct prohibiting harassment, bullying (including cyberbullying), and discrimination against students by students and/or school employees on school property or at a school function, as well as provisions for responding to acts of discrimination and harassment against students by students and/or school employees on school property or at a school function. Charter schools are also required to include in their disciplinary rules and procedures, (pursuant to Education Law ¨2851[2][h]), or, if applicable, in their Codes of Conduct, provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment against students by students and/or school employees on school property or at a school function, as well as provisions for responding to acts of discrimination and harassment against students by students and/or school employees on school property or at a school function and guidelines on promoting a safe and supportive school climate (see Education Law ¨¨10-18 and 8 NYCRR ¨119.6).