|
In 2007, Ohio House Bill 276 mandated that the Ohio Department of Education, in consultation with other state agencies and education organizations, prepare a model policy to guide every district in developing a policy that prohibits harassment, intimidation and bullying. Each public school district (including city, local, exempted village, joint vocational districts and community schools), could choose to adopt the model policy or create its own policy aligned with the model. The bill also required ODE to develop a Safety and Violence Prevention Curriculum training for school professionals to detect mental and behavioral health, recognize depression and suicide ideation in students, identifying substance use and abuse in students, violence against children: bullying, and child abuse.
In November 2010, per HB 19, the policy was amended to include Section 3 on Violence within a Dating Relationship. On May 4, 2012 the Jessica Logan Act was passed requiring schools to update their district policy to include incidents that occur on a school bus and via electronic means. In addition, district policies are to provide a means for anonymous reporting and annually train teachers and parents about cyber bullying. On October 9, 2012, the State Board of Education adopted a new model policy incorporating these changes. The following link offers resources for administrators, educators and parents/caregivers to reduce harassment, intimidation and bullying behavior.
Model Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation and Anti-Bullying Policy (PDF)
This State Board of Education-approved model policy contains procedures for reporting, documenting and investigating incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying (including cyber bullying) as explained in the model policy and Ohio Revised Code. The document delineates responsibilities for school personnel and presents student intervention strategies. The policy also states the requirements for districts to:
- Consult with students, parents, school employees, volunteers and community members in developing policies and programs;
- Publish policies in student handbooks and employee training materials;
- Locally report on a semiannual basis a summary of reported incidents;
- Provide training on local policies to the extent that state or federal funds are appropriated for these purposes.
RELATED ODE RESOURCES
Bullying Prevention Resources – a variety of bullying-prevention resources including Web links, fact sheets, lectures, webinars, PowerPoints, and training programs.
Safety and Violence Prevention Training – a child-abuse detection curriculum for training school administrators, nurses, teachers, counselors, school psychologists and administrators.
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Education - House Bill 19 – guidance and resources for dating violence prevention.
|