Discrimination and Harassment at School

1. Discrimination and Harassmentat School

2. Illegal Discrimination • Race • Color • Religion • Sex (gender) • National Origin • Ancestry • Disability • Age

3. Examples of Discrimination: • Excluding students with disabilities from honors and awards • Only considering men for a custodian position because the job requires lifting • Separate tutoring requirement for all students of a particular race that did not score proficient on the MAP • Only asking students of a particular race if they are “homeless” or “migrant”

4. More Examples: • Non-renewing a bus driver because of age • Favoring students because they go to church with you • Refusing a promotion to someone because she is pregnant • Excluding a student from a school activity because she is pregnant

5. Harassment: a form of discrimination • Unwelcome And 2. Offensive to the reasonable person

6. Sexual harassment is the most common form of harassment in schools.

7. What is sexual harassment? Any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, whether the behavior is written, verbal, orphysical.

8. 2 Kinds • Quid Pro Quo: Supervisor or person in control conditioning action on sex, date, etc. • Hostile Environment: Words or actions so pervasively offensive that they alter the working conditions.

9. What’s your responsibility? • As an employee of Willow Springs R- IV Schools, you have a duty to provide a learning environment that is free of sexual harassment. • As an employee you are obligated to foster a working environment that is free of sexual harassment.

10. Examples of Harassment: • Conditioning grade on kiss • Racial slurs or jokes • Allowing students to pick on a student because the student has a disability • Giving choice work assignments or better evaluations to persons if they date you • Discussing how bi-racial children should not have been born.

11. Verbal forms of sexual harassment may include…. • Sexual or gender based jokes or teasing • Words such as “honey”, “sweetie” or “babe” • Wolf whistles or other derogatory noises • Rumors about a person’s sex life • Comments about a person’s body • Derogatory comments based on gender

12. More Examples: • Excessive touching of students • Discussions of sexual activity, sexual innuendo • Suggestive pictures, calendars • E-mailing sexually suggestive messages • Condoning bra-snapping, reaching under skirts, touching genital areas • Name-calling: “homo,” “fag,” “slut,” “gay,” etc.

13. This may also include visual forms of sexual harassment such as…. • Obscene posters, cartoons, and pin-ups • Computer graphics and obscene messages on computer bulletin boards. • Offensive models, statues, and figurines • Inappropriate clothing

14. Sexual harassment can also result from….. • Staring • Physical gestures that have a sexual connotation • Suggestive looks and facial expressions that have sexual implications • Blocking the pathway of another to make a sexual advance.

15. What do we know about sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is most prevalent in (elementary, middle, or high) schools. (choose one) Answer: Middle School Where in the school environment does most sexual harassment occur? Answer: School Bus What percent of girls experience some form of sexual harassment during their K-12 education? Answer: 80%

16. What do we know about sexual harassment? (continued) A one-time comment, joke, or verbal innuendo does not constitute sexual harassment. Answer: True Verbal forms of sexual harassment are considered least offensive, but can become the basis for sexual harassment if comments are persistent. The number of sexual harassment claims by males is increasing. Answer: True “I didn’t mean anything by it” is a valid defense to excuse offensive behavior. False It is the impact, not the intent, that is important.

17. What constitutes sexual harassment? • An act that is severe, persistent, or pervasive. • Limits a student’s ability to participate in, or benefit from, an educational program, or • Creates a hostile or abusive environment.

18. A Student Issue A Employee Issue In schools sexual harassment is... Anyone can be a victim or perpetrator of sexual harassment

19. A word of caution… • Sexual harassment behavior can be a “career killer”. • Even unsubstantiated allegations can be very damaging. • Don’t take unnecessary risks!

20. How does sexual harassment issues show up in schools….. • Peer-to-peer sexual harassment among students. • Sexual harassment behavior between school staff members including administrators. • Inappropriate touching of students by teachers and staff members. • Inappropriate behavior of coaches in athletic programs.

21. If you witness any type of harassment do the following: • Take prompt action and stop the harassment. • Report all incidents to the appropriate school administrator. • Provide the names of all parties involved and any witnesses • Help document exactly what was said or done. Remember that liability begins when nothing is done!

22. OK to date co-workers, but keep it away from school! Don’t . . . • Hook up at school – no kissing or touching • E-mail or write love letters at school • Keep each other from doing your job • Bring your relationship to school • Turn a “welcome” relationship into an “unwelcome” one

23. Students Cannot Consent!Never OK to . . . • Date a student • Talk about dating a student in the future • Kiss or fondle a student • Write love notes to a student • Use obscene language around a student • Discuss sexual relationships with a student outside of an approved class curriculum

24. Common Problem Areas • Inviting students to home or going to student’s home • Friendships with students • Transporting students • Relationships with teacher’s assistants • Extracurricular/after-school activities • Special education students • Cards/letters/e-mails to individual students

25. Required by Board policy to report.

26. Could be a crime if you do not report sexual harassment of student.

27. Report all complaints or suspected problems to . . . . Title IX Compliance Coordinator Confidential to the greatest extent possible.

28. No retaliation allowed for reporting or participating in investigation. Serious offense. Protected by law.

29. Investigation • Written complaint • Interview • Testimony at a hearing

30. What could happen to offender? • Additional training • Letter to the personnel file • Suspension • Loss of extra duties • Reassignment • Termination • Jail

31. What could happen if you did not report? • Additional training • Letter to the personnel file • Suspension • Loss of extra duties • Reassignment • Termination • Jail (mandated reporter)