My son is being bullied by some of his classmates. What is the school required to do to ensure that the bullying doesn’t continue?
Bullying is serious and harmful behavior that can interfere with your son’s education as well as his social and emotional well being. To ensure students are safe in school and to prohibit bullying and harassment, several laws have been passed in Vermont. Act 91 requires schools to create safe, civil, and orderly schools free of harassment. Act 113 requires each Vermont school to develop and implement a school discipline plan. Protections against bullying are included in Act 117 of 2004 (An Act Relating to Bullying Prevention Policies). As a requirement of Act 117 the Commissioner of Education has issued a model bullying prevention plan as an insert to the “Guidelines for Discipline Plan Development.” The plan emphasizes prevention efforts, positive approaches to discipline and family-centered practices. In addition federal laws, such as Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act, compel schools to prevent harassment and to follow the law. When harassment or bullying takes place, parents
