The Teacher-Education Crash Course in NJ Bullying Requirements

Public Law 2010, Chapter 122 This law is intended to improve the existing harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) laws adopted in 2002 and amended in 2007 and 2008 by: Establishing clearer standards for the definition of HIB Clarifying/strengthening standards on preventing, reporting, investigating and responding to HIB incidents that occur on school grounds and off school grounds Using existing resources to increase school safety Reducing the risk of suicide

Section C.18A:37-22 Requires Higher Ed. Training (37-22) Beginning with the school year, all candidates for teacher certification shall have completed satisfactorily a program on HIB prevention (37-23) All candidates for administrative and supervisory certification shall have completed satisfatorily a program on HIB prevention.

New HIB Definition “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory [handicap] disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function [or], on a school bus, or off school grounds as provided for in section 16 of P.L.2010, CHAPTER 122, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that:

New HIB Definition a) a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property; [or] b) has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students [in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with the orderly operation of the school]; or c) creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.”

Conflict vs. HIB Conflict “Mutually” competitive or opposing action or engagement. Includes disagreements, arguments and fights. A normal part of growing up and of life. HIB One-sided. One or more students are victims of one or more person’s aggression (HIB definition under the ABR (NJ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights) Intent is to physically or emotionally hurt.

Research Since U. S. Departments of Justice and Education Study: 32% of the students ages 12 through 18 were bullied in the previous year. 25% of reporting schools indicated that bullying was a daily or weekly problem.

School Climate There is powerful evidence that school climate affects students’ self-esteem and self-concept. School climate also colors school-based risk-prevention efforts. Effective risk- prevention and health-promotion efforts are correlated with a nurturing school climate. It also promotes academic achievement. As a result of these findings, fostering socially, emotionally, and physically safer schools has become a primary focus of the U. S. Department of Justice and virtually all state education departments..

District Roles Anti-Bullying Coordinator (District) Anti-Bullying Specialist (School) School Safety Team (Teachers)

School Safety Team Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including HIB issues Meets at least 2 times per school year Consists of the principal (or designee, preferably a senior administrator) and principal appointees: a teacher in the school, the school anti-bullying specialist (serves as chair), a parent (as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3) of a student in the school, and other members determined by the principal

School Safety Team Receive any HIB complaints reported to the principal* Receive copies of any HIB investigation reports* Identify and address patterns of HIB in the school* Review and strengthen school climate and policies in order to present and address HIB *Parent team members may only participate in activities that do not compromise student confidentiality

School Safety Team Educate the community (i.e., students, teachers, administrators, parents) to prevent and address HIB Participate in training (both required and requested) Collaborate with anti-bullying coordinator in data collection and development of policies to prevent and address HIB Other duties related to HIB requested by principal or anti-bullying coordinator

Safe, Supportive and Civil Schools

Integrating HIB Take 10 minutes to meet with members teaching similar “levels” Brainstorm a list of how and where to integrate HIB into the overall curriculum Consider how to measure HIB competency

Some Examples of School HIB Posters

Resources NJDOE Resource Pages U.S. Site (includes videos) Prevention Programs Matrix Week of Respect Handbook