{"id":85481,"date":"2017-10-15T05:13:10","date_gmt":"2017-10-15T09:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=85481"},"modified":"2017-10-13T20:30:16","modified_gmt":"2017-10-14T00:30:16","slug":"some-new-york-schools-not-reporting-bullying-or-harassment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=85481","title":{"rendered":"Some New York schools not reporting bullying or harassment"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"Four Years After the Dignity for All Students Act Took Effect,\u00a0Too Many Schools Misreport Incidents or Don\u2019t Report Them At All<\/em><\/p>\n

Many New York schools fall short when it comes to protecting students from harassment and discrimination based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, according to an\u00a0audit<\/a>\u00a0released in Rochester today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.<\/p>\n

The audit released today examined New York state schools\u2019 compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act. On Sept. 25, DiNapoli engaged a similar audit focused on New York City schools.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Dignity for All Students Act was created to protect students but\u00a0four years later, many schools remain unsure of what to do and make serious errors in reporting incidents of harassment and bullying,\u201d DiNapoli said. \u201cAll students deserve schools that support them and are safe and free from harassment and bullying. School districts must protect students\u2019 rights and ensure thorough training for school staff. We appreciate that the State Education Department agrees with our recommendations and is taking steps to help school officials improve their ability to safeguard students.\u201d<\/p>\n

“The Dignity for All Students Act is an effective vehicle in creating a safe and productive environment for students when it is well implemented and when schools are in compliance,\u201d said Assemblymember Daniel J. O’Donnell, sponsor of the Dignity for All Students Act. \u201cUnfortunately, the audit shows that DASA is not being actively implemented\u2014highlighted by deficient reporting by schools and<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

shortcomings in the compliance of DASA training. It is clear that these are symptoms of a lack of resources and dedicated oversight. I will be calling for the specific allocation of funds to NYSED for the creation of dedicated DASA compliance personnel. I thank Comptroller DiNapoli for his audit of the implementation of Dignity, and look forward to improving how we implement this important measure in ending bullying in schools.”<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter who you are, what you look like or where you come from, we all deserve full equality and the chance to succeed, especially within our public education system,\u201d said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. \u201cWe must do our best to teach students the importance of dignity and respect and to protect them from harassment and discrimination. I look forward to working with Comptroller DiNapoli and the State Education Department to help our schools meet DASA guidelines and reporting requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n

“The Dignity Act was crafted to help provide students a safe and supportive learning environment. School is formative,\u201d said Scott Fearing, executive director of the OUT Alliance in Rochester, which hosted DiNapoli\u2019s announcement. \u201cA nurturing school can improve the opportunities available to youth as they grow and mature. We hope and expect Comptroller DiNapoli’s audit will assist school districts as they work to uphold the Dignity Act and the security it promises students.”<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\u201cThe LGBT Network applauds the leadership and important work being done by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to shine a light on the implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act,\u201d said Dr. David Kilmnick, President and CEO of the LGBT Network. \u201cThe LGBT Network offers numerous educational resources and interactive, dynamic trainings that help school districts meet DASA requirements. These educational sessions help to foster a safe and supportive school environment that tackles the epidemic of bullying and hate that is unfortunately on the rise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The audit found that despite guidance from the State Education Department,\u00a0many schools had not implemented some critical requirements, such as ensuring that key contact information is widely accessible. Several\u00a0schools lacked training and others made significant\u00a0errors\u00a0when it came to reporting incidents under DASA.<\/p>\n

\nIn the school year that ended June 2016, New York school districts (excluding New York City) reported 16,938 verified incidents of discrimination and harassment and\u00a02,472 incidents of cyberbullying.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
DiNapoli\u2019s auditors visited a sample of 20 schools (outside of New York City) and found that:<\/div>\n