Bullying in schools is increasingly the focus of attention in schools, counties and the Florida Department of Education. Florida Act 1006.147, also known as the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, requires school districts to adopt a formal policy prohibiting bullying and harassment of students and staff on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and through the school`s computer networks. (8) The distribution of safe schools funds to a school district under the Appropriation General Act, 2009-2010 depends on it and is payable to the school district once the Ministry of Education has approved the school district`s bullying and harassment policy. The Ministry`s approval of each school district`s bullying and harassment policy will be granted after the Ministry confirms that the school district`s policy has been submitted to the Ministry and is substantially consistent with the Ministry`s model bullying and harassment policy prescribed in subsection (5). The distribution of safe schools funds provided to a school district during the 2010-2011 fiscal year and thereafter is dependent on the school district and is payable to the school district if it complies with all reporting procedures included in this division. Florida schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to combat discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying can be a violation of civil rights. H.B. 699 s. 1006.147: Jeffrey Johnson Stand Up for All Students Act: Consequences must be clearly explained by the school district; www.myfloridahouse.com/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0669__.xml&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0669&Session=2008 anti-bullying laws and regulations in Florida include the following definitions of bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment: That`s why we fight.
Below are all the anti-bullying resources previously provided on the FLDOE website. This remains the main link until the DOE fully restores these resources to its own website. Adult intervention is one of the best defenses against bullying. Educators can first learn the warning signs as well as the myths of bullying, especially social bullying, which research shows are harder for adults to identify than other forms of bullying. Educators can intervene when they see bullying and send a clear message that the school does not tolerate bullying. Here are some steps schools can take to ensure a bullying-free school environment: (1) Determine where and when bullying occurs; (2) train all school staff to detect bullying; (3) increase adult supervision in campus hotspots; (4) the creation of an anti-bullying working group to train students and staff; and (5) incorporate anti-bullying materials into the curriculum for discussion and role-playing. Educators can use staff meetings, gatherings, parent conferences, and most importantly, daily interactions with students to establish a culture of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. No. There are no specific groups listed in Florida`s anti-bullying laws or regulations. The law states that the school district`s bullying and harassment policies provide equal protection to all students, regardless of their status under the law. Districts may define separate discrimination policies that include categories of students. The key element used in the analysis of state laws is based on the review of legislation presented in the « Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies – December 2011 » (U.S.
Department of Education). On December 6, 2021, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) removed countless anti-bullying resources from its website, including guides on how to prevent bullying against LGBTQ+ youth. Linked to HB 626 is the « Imagine Sheterria Elliot Act, » which was passed www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=49783 and provides resources for educators, staff, and students to create a safe learning environment for all students, is in direct contradiction to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis` mission, which has continually undermined the protection of LGBTQ+ students. preventing transgender girls from participating in women`s sports and restricting discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0609er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0609&Session=2013 Yes, it is possible. Florida`s anti-bullying laws cover off-campus behavior when bullying significantly impairs or limits the victim`s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school, or significantly disrupts the educational process or the proper functioning of a school. (j) A procedure for referring victims and perpetrators of bullying or harassment to counselling services. Systematically and chronically inflict physical injury or psychological distress on one or more students or staff that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; or unreasonably impair the person`s academic performance or participation.
How can I support my child if they are being bullied at school? We believe it is important to provide easily accessible resources for LGBTQ+ youth, both on and off campus. Florida has a criminal cyberbullying law that could apply to certain cyberbullying behaviors: www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm? App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0784/Sections/0784.048.html. (c) Using data or software accessed through a computer, computer system or computer network of a public K-12 educational institution. Technology and Youth: Protecting Your Child from Electronic Assault (PDF) In cases of bullying and harassment through social media (such as Facebook, MySpace, Tumblr and Formspring), parents can follow the « Help » link on the social media site to report abuse or policy violations such as scammers` accounts, bullying, hate speech, pornography, etc. Florida school districts must adopt a policy prohibiting bullying and harassment of a student or employee of a public K-12 school. The district policy must be substantially consistent with the Standard Policy of the Ministry of Education and include important political and procedural elements, including but not limited to: (c) the definitions in § 815.03 and the definition in § 784.048(1)(d) with respect to criminal harassment are applicable to this section. DoE Communications Director Jared Ochs said in a statement confirming the withdrawal: (f) A procedure for reporting an act of bullying or harassment, including provisions for a person to report such an act anonymously.