Addressing Bullying and Understanding the Law | The Virginia Center for School Safety at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Student Services, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program
Program Description
This training discusses the new Virginia legislation on bullying and gives appropriate options to school administrators and law enforcement officers for legal compliance. These workshops will utilize the legal expertise of Dr. John More of Response Law Inc., and will explore the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act as it pertains to sharing information with the parents of a student who is the victim of a bullying incident. Dr. Dewey Cornell, student threat and violence prevention expert of the Virginia Youth Violence Project at the University of Virginia, examines the use of a flow chart for teachers and administrators to use in assessing bullying incidents.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3)Safety & Organizational Management for Learning (ISLLC standards 2 & 3)
Communication & Community Relations (ISLLC standard 4)
Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- Determine when under the Code of Virginia §22.1-279.3:1 the act of "bullying" is required to be reported by a school principal to the parents of a victim of a bully.
- Determine what "directory information" (as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 34 C.F.R.§99.37) can be included is such report about the student accused of "bullying".
- Understand the lists and specific incidents under 22.1-279.3:1 (A) of Virginia Code which must be reported to the principal and division superintendent.
- Determine who are the "relevant students" involved and what information can be released about said student.
- Determine which acts enumerated in clauses (ii) through (v) of subsection A that may constitute a criminal offense that principals must report to the parents of any minor student who is the specific object of such act. Further, determine how the principal shall, as required by law, report these incidents to local law enforcement.
- Identify different examples of bullying conduct to include: 1. Physical intimidation, taunting, name calling, and insults 2. Comments regarding the race, gender, religion, physical abilities or characteristics of associates of the targeted person 3. Falsifying statements about other persons.
- Recognize the need for a category-specific policy for disclosure of "directory information" as defined by the school district.
- Recognize the need to give notice to the parent as to the specific types of directory information they intend to disclose.
Program Format
This program will be conducted utilizing interactive discussion scenarios and adult learning theory of applicability. Participants will be guided through an online tutorial on research-based theory of bullying prevention and best practices in bullying prevention curricula. Instructional materials will be available from HRSA, the COPS Office, and other federal agencies.Target Audience
The target audience includes school superintendents and assistant superintendents, division level administrators working with school safety, school principals and assistant principals, and teachers.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
Yes/yes.Duration of Program
This workshop will be conducted at five (5) sites across the Commonwealth. A collaboration between the Center for School Safety and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) results in one session at the annual VASS meeting in October 2005. Sessions will be offered from August to November 2005.Outcomes Measured
Number of participants, number of satisfactory evaluations.Program Evaluation
Evaluations are completed at the end of the training by the program participants. The information is compiled and analyzed for relevancy, degree of informational and technical support, and application to the work environment.Contact Information
Donna Bowman
Manager, Virginia Center for School Safety
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
202 N. 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804-371-6506 (phone)
804-371-8981 (fax)
donna.bowman@dcjs.virginia.gov
Arlene D. Cundiff
Coordinator, Safe & Drug-Free Schools Program
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218
804-225-2871 (phone)
804-786-9769 (fax)
Arlene.cundiff@doe.virginia.gov