The new school year has begun. We know you could easily fill your days with the many tasks needed to get students and staff settled into their classes and routines. And when the chaos of back-to-school tasks recedes, it will invariably make room for athletics, discipline, grading, testing, and more. Most of us join the education community because we love these activities, we love the pace of these activities, we love learning environments, we love making a difference, we love challenges, and we love providing solutions. Those of us in education could easily and happily stay occupied…all day, every day.
But educating students today is no simple, straightforward set of tasks. It’s not as easy as “nail needs a hammer.” We are facing complex and evolving challenges in education. And our students, parents, staff, and communities are looking to education leaders to guide them.
Under these circumstances, it’s critical that board members and administrators take a step away from the “busyness of school” to view their operations from above. We recommend starting now, when there’s just a hint of a breather, and starting by looking at your policies and procedures. Taking this moment to review, adjust, and update your policy documents, provide training for staff, and ensure compliance with state and federal laws will not only help protect the district from potential litigation but will also help ensure that the district fulfills its goals and objectives.
You are not alone in this work. Neola puts you and policy first so that you can put children first.
With Neola, school districts have the support and guidance they need to start the school year in the right direction. In this article, we will explore the importance of policy review, training, and compliance with Title IX, Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment, and Anti-bullying policies.
As school districts begin this academic year, it is essential that all policies are up-to-date and compliant with state and federal laws. This is especially true for Title IX, non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-bullying policies and guidelines. It is important to have a comprehensive set of regulations in place that speaks directly to how each district will handle instances of discrimination, harassment, or bullying.
In order to be compliant with Title IX regulations, districts must have a clear policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. This includes but is not limited to providing equal access to education regardless of gender identity or expression and taking steps to prevent sexual violence against students. Furthermore, nondiscrimination policies should include protections for individuals based on race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability status, etc.
Additionally, it is imperative that anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies are created which clearly define prohibited behaviors such as cyberbullying or any other form of harassment based on an individual’s protected class status (e.g., race/color/national origin). These policies should outline the consequences for violating these rules as well as provide guidance on how incidents should be reported and addressed promptly by district staff.
Finally, training must be provided for district staff members, so they are aware of their responsibility in upholding all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination and prevention of harassment/bullying among students. The training should also provide information about resources available both inside and outside the school system, such as counselors or law enforcement officials who can assist in responding to reports of discrimination or harassment incidents appropriately.
By having current Title IX and nondiscrimination policies in place as well as appropriate training provided for staff members, schools can create a safe environment where all students can learn without fear of being discriminated against or harassed.
Neola is a leading provider of school district policy management solutions and is dedicated to helping your district navigate the ever-changing landscape of school policy. Neola works with the Florida School Boards Association and legal counsel at Sniffen & Spellman, P.A. to craft policy changes and provide legal guidance to assist boards and administrators through these challenging times. Through this collaborative effort, Neola provides districts with a level of service and support that helps them stay up-to-date on changing regulations.
Neola’s services are comprehensive, providing districts with access to updated policies that meet all state laws as well as providing a legal interpretation of those policies. This assists in ensuring that any proposed changes or updates comply with state requirements. In addition, Neola’s team of experts provides guidance on implementation issues as well as advice on how best to communicate the new policies within the district. This includes information about training staff members in order to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities when dealing with reports of discrimination or harassment.
The goal of Neola’s collaborative work is threefold: firstly, it ensures that school boards and administrators can effectively and efficiently manage their policies; secondly, it gives education leaders peace of mind knowing that their policies comply with current federal and state laws and regulations. And most importantly, it helps create learning communities where students succeed. With Neola’s help, districts can be sure they are starting each new school year in the right direction.