Proposed Res. No. 473-A
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011 (H.R. 1648/S.506).
By The Speaker (Council Member Quinn) and Council Members Dromm, Arroyo, Brewer, Chin, Comrie, Dickens, Ferreras, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Mealy, Palma, Recchia, Rose, Van Bramer, Vann, Williams, Rodriguez, Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Nelson, Lappin and Vacca
Whereas, Bullying and harassment are detrimental to the psychological and physical well-being of those who are the targets of such behavior; and
Whereas, According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, bullying is widespread in American schools, with surveys indicating that up to half of all children are bullied at some time in their school years and at least 10 percent are bullied on a regular basis; and
Whereas, Children who are bullied can experience real suffering that can interfere with their school performance as well as their social and emotional development; and
Whereas, Additionally, children who are being bullied in school are more likely to miss school, with an estimated 160,000 students deemed absent daily nationwide due to bullying; and
Whereas, Bullying behaviors can be physical or verbal and in recent years are more likely to include the use of the internet and cell phones; and
Whereas, Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) students are particularly vulnerable to bullying and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression; and
Whereas, Since September of 2010, at least six students nationwide have taken their own lives as a result of antigay bullying; and
Whereas, Children need and deserve to be safe from harm, especially in school, and we as a society need to stop looking the other way when such abhorrent behavior is taking place; and
Whereas, Severe bullying must be identified for what it is and denounced for the harm it causes rather than brushed off as a harmless rite of passage; and
Whereas, Schools must establish clearly defined boundaries, and teachers and administrators must know they are responsible for intervening when acts of bullying take place; and
Whereas, In March 2011, S.506, also known as the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011, was introduced in the United States Senate and in April 2011, the House version, H.R 1648, was introduced in the House of Representatives; and
Whereas, The Safe Schools Improvement Act would amend the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (part of the No Child Left Behind Act) to require schools and districts receiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; and
Whereas, The Safe Schools Improvement Act would also require that states report data on bullying and harassment to the United States Department of Education; and
Whereas, Bullying, harassment and discrimination have no place in schools, as such behavior deprives children of the education they are entitled to and violates their rights as human beings; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1648/S.506).
JP
LS 1629
6/7/11