News
Heritage students stomp out bullying
Nashville students unveil PSA taking stand against bullying
Some Nashville teens are taking a stand against bullying with a Public Service Announcement. STARS Nashville, or
Students Taking A Right Stand, partnered with the Nashville Film Institute to put together the PSA, and it will be played for students throughout Middle Tennessee.
See also: STARS Nashville Facebook page
See also: STARS Nashville YouTube channel
Laws and Policies
Bullying/Harassment
Code 49-6-1015 (2005) defines harassment, intimidation or bullying in the school setting.
Codes 49-6-1016 (2009) and 49-6-1017 (2005) require each local agency to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying. Districts are required to include a definition of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, a statement prohibiting such acts, a description of the type of behavior constituting these acts, consequences and remedial action for harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and a procedure for reporting acts and conducting a prompt investigation.
Code 49-6-1018 (2005) prohibits retaliation or reprisal against a victim of or witness to or person with reliable information about an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying.
Code 49-6-1019 (2005) encourages school districts to form harassment, intimidation or bullying prevention task forces, programs, and other initiatives. Districts are encouraged to include a definition of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, a statement prohibiting such acts, a description of the type of behavior constituting these acts, consequences and remedial action for harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and a procedure for reporting acts and conducting a prompt investigation.
Cyber Bullying
Although not specific to the school environment, under Code 39-17-308 (2009), threatening by electronic communication to take action known to be unlawful by any person is a Class A misdemeanor.
Hazing
Code 49-2-120 (2001) requires each school to adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under school sanction. The policy shall be distributed or made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. During the first month of each new school year, time shall be set aside to specifically discuss the policy and its ramifications as a criminal offense and the penalties that may be imposed by the LEA.
Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Last Updated: 3/12/2010
