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Passed by the Legislature
in 2000, Act 113 (the "Safe Schools Bill"), addresses the importance of
providing safe and healthy learning environments for all Vermont students. Among
its many provisions, the law clarifies disciplinary procedures in cases in which
a student’s misconduct directly harms the welfare of a school. It also strengthens
criminal laws regarding possession of weapons on school property or buses, and directs
the commissioner of education to develop teacher training programs that address disruptive
student behavior.
Act 120, also passed
in 2000, focuses on school hazing and harassment policies and created a school quality
standard that evaluates schools on their ability to provide safe, civil, orderly,
and positive learning environments. The work of Act 120 is carried out through these
programs:
Safe Schools Program
This program is an essential part of the department's effort to implement initiatives
to reduce the frequency of problems that impede student learning and achievement.
The team works with school communities to help create safe and healthy learning environments
with regard to bullying, hazing, harassment and discrimination that may relate to
race, gender, class, age, intelligence, marital status, sexual orientation, disability
or religion. In addition, prevention and intervention technical assistance/training
programs work to strengthen school climate and reduce disruptions caused by challenging
student behaviors. The program also assists schools in developing schoolwide disciplinary
plans, procedures and policies.
Building Effective Strategies for Teaching Students with Behavioral Challenges
(BEST) Project
The BEST Project is designed to help schools develop effective strategies to
respond to challenging student behaviors. The department and its interagency partners
provide training and technical assistance to increase schools’ capacities to implement
strategies to benefit entire school communities. View a Web site link.
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