iradiophilly | News - NJ Anti Bullying Law: Toughest In The Nation

Streaming Radio for Philadelphia
More Music. Fewer Interruptions. Just what you want to hear.

FOLLOW:

News
Talk about what's in the news


The Post

NJ Anti Bullying Law: Toughest In The Nation

by: Rebel - Havertown, PA
started: 08/18/11 10:07 am | updated: 08/18/11 10:07 am

Students get back to school in the next couple weeks and New Jersey schools are ramping up for the state's new anti-bullying law.

School administrators have attended regional training sessions to prepare for implementing the measure, which has been called the toughest of its kind in the nation.

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights permits the expulsion of offenders from school and adds strict requirements to report and investigate incidents without delay.

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights requires schools to investigate bullying even when it occurs off school property.

Districts have until Sept. 1 to show the state Department of Education that their policies comply with the law, signed by Gov. Christie in January.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's a challenge. The law itself is laudable, but it's difficult to implement the procedures to comply with the law. We're scrambling to do it." David Weinstein, a member of the Moorestown school board.

Under the rules, every public school is required to have an anti-bullying specialist - often a counselor - and each district must have an anti-bullying coordinator.

School employees are required to deliver written reports to their principals within two days of learning of a bullying incident. A principal must complete his or her investigation within 10 days, and the district superintendent has to recommend a plan of action at the next school board meeting.
Failure to meet deadlines could lead to disciplinary action.

â€œBy investigating a possible bullying incident, you're communicating with the kids. If you're wrong and you overreacted, it will still be a positive outcome." Haddon Township Middle School science teacher Tom Mulligan, who prefers to err on the side of caution.

The bill of rights also mandates anti-bullying training as part of the professional-development requirements for teachers and administrators.

TOP STORIES

(0) responses

Welcome to iradiophilly! Philadelphia's Internet Radio Community

Welcome! Start listening now for FREE! The music is always on, so choose a radio station and click to listen. You can find fun Events around Philly and you can list yours on our Events page FREE. We will also promote cool Philly shows, events and fundraisers on the air FREE. There are also great opportunities to become a sponsor or advertise. iRadioPhilly supports the Philadelphia music and arts scene. If you are a local musician or performer, send us your stuff. We will play it on our BYO radio station, Philadelphia's Local Stage. We're designing the radio stations and iradiophilly to reflect Philadelphia's music tastes, so we'll want your input. We're glad you're here. Invite your friends.

FOLLOW:

Site Design by Bananaland | Built by quadpain media