Supporting Senate Bill 380 will make sure you hear us.
Sections 4 through 8 of SB 380, An Act Concerning School Discipline, improve the collection and reporting of school climate data in two important ways:
First, this Act requires the development of school climate assessment survey standards, including standards for the collection of data on protected classes of students and standards that will help with the reduction in disparities in data collection between school districts. The Act further
requires the development of a model school climate improvement plan and a model survey that districts can adopt to ensure that their surveys are in line with the new standards.
Second, the State Department of Education will now be required to collect and report the number of verified acts of bullying that were directed at a student based on actual or perceived membership in a protected class.
Section 9 of this Act creates a new position at the State Department of Education for a director of school climate improvement. The director will be responsible for assisting local and regional boards of education with implementation of school climate laws and developing strategies to improve school climate.
Why is this important?
Bullying and harassment has skyrocketed in recent years, with students in protected classes being targeted at disproportionate rates. Including perceived or actual class status in surveys and reports of verified acts of bullying will provide critical data, informing the State Department of Education and the public on where the most resources are needed and the most efficient and cost-effective way to assist schools.
