Obama Administration Launches Campaign To Combat School Bullying

 

The Washington Post (10/26, Anderson) reports, "The Obama administration is launching a campaign to prevent anti-gay bullying and other harassment at school, advising educators that federal law protects students from many forms of discrimination." According to the Post, Administration officials say a new advisory from the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights is "the federal government's most comprehensive guidance to date on how civil rights law applies to the sort of campus situations that in some cases have led persecuted students to commit suicide. President Obama is expected to help promote the initiative."

 

According to the New York Times (10/26, Dillon), Administration officials said the move "took on new urgency in recent weeks because of a string of high-profile cases in which students have committed suicide after enduring bullying by classmates. .. 'I am writing to remind you that some student misconduct that falls under a school's anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities under one or more of the federal anti-discrimination laws,' says the letter, signed by Russlynn H. Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights." The Times adds that data collected by ED researchers last year indicated that "one-third of all students ages 12 to 18 felt that they were being bullied or harassed at school, Ms. Ali said in an interview."

 

The AP (10/26, Armario) adds that Secretary of Education Arne Duncan "sought to assure" bullying victims "that action will be taken." Said Duncan, "To every student who feels threatened or harassed, for whatever reason, please know that you are not alone. Please know that there are people who love you. And please know that we will protect you.'"

 

Bloomberg News (10/26, Young) adds, "The White House will convene a conference on bullying and harassment in schools early next year, [ED] said in a news release. In addition, [ED] will hold a series of workshops for school administrators around the country on antibullying measures."

 

Duncan To Hold National Press Call On Bullying. The Bay City (MI) Times (10/26, Dodson) reports, "US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will hold a national press conference Tuesday announcing guidance to schools on handling bullying and discriminatory harassment. Joining Duncan will be White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali." Said Duncan, "This is a moment where every one of us - parents, teachers, students, elected officials, and all people of conscience -needs to stand up and speak out against intolerance in all its forms."