The New York State Dignity For All Students Act (Dignity Act) was signed into law on September 13, 2010. This legislation amended State Education Law by creating a new Article 2 – Dignity for All Students. • The Dignity Act states that NO student shall be subjected to harassment or discrimination by employees or students on school property or at a school function based on their actual or perceivedrace, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexualorientation, gender, or sex. • The Dignity Act 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. • The Dignity Act also amended Section 2801 of the Education Law, instructing Boards of Education toinclude language in the codes of conduct to comply with the Dignity Act. Cato-Meridian has appointed three DASA coordinators, one at each building level. Please contact any of the DASA coordinators if you have a specific question about an issue related to students’ mistreatment on behalf of another student or staff member. |
