WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and 23 of his Senate colleagues introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act to protect students from bullying and harassment in schools.
“All students deserve to feel safe in school,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill will prepare schools to better protect kids from harassment and bullying.”
The legislation would require states to direct schools to establish policies that prohibit bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, and religion. Specifically, states that receive federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) would be required to ensure that local education agencies (LEAs) adopt evidence-based practices to prevent and effectively respond to bullying and harassment.
One out of every five K–12 students faces bullying or harassment in school. Students from marginalized communities face even higher rates of bullying and harassment.
The Safe Schools Improvement Act is endorsed by 70 organizations including GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Parent Teacher Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.
Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.