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U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

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About EDOVERVIEW
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Encouraging Safe Schools

 Harassment could deny a student the right to an education free of discrimination  and could threaten a student's physical or emotional well-being, influence  how well a student does in school and make it difficult for a student to achieve  his or her career goals. Also, in cases where harassment is so severe, pervasive,  and objectively offensive that it interferes with benefits protected by law,  the courts have made it clear that such harassment is illegal and requires  recipients to take effective action to stop harassment and prevent its recurrence. 

*Racial Harassment*

OCR found that a school district failed to take appropriate action when notified of incidents of racial harassment. These incidents included a racially motivated fight involving 15 students; racially derogatory remarks directed at African American students; and a white student calling a Pakistani student a “terrorist.” The district agreed to revise and disseminate its grievance procedures and conduct training on recognizing harassment and investigating allegations of racial harassment.

| “And our country must abandon all the habits of racism because we       cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same       time.” 
President George W. Bush        Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 2005 |
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#### *Sexual Harassment*

 OCR received a complaint that a school district did not take prompt and effective action when notified that a student was sexually harassed by a teacher. Following OCR's investigation, the district agreed to reimburse the family for counseling the student has received to assist in overcoming any effects of sexual harassment and to cover co-payment fees if additional counseling is required. The teacher was disciplined and required to take training on sexual harassment. The student also will be allowed to take a class normally taught by the teacher as an independent study assignment with another teacher.

*Disability Harassment*

 In another OCR complaint resolution, a mother withdrew her son from classes because she felt the school was not trying to prevent harassment directed at him for being disabled. As a result of assurances from the district that it would monitor the situation, the student agreed to return to the school.

*Post-September 11 Harassment*

 OCR continued efforts to assist communities in avoiding incidents of harassment  and violence aimed at students, teachers or other persons perceived to be Arab  Americans or of Middle Eastern or South Asian origin. For example, one of the  enforcement offices worked closely with the Council on American-Islamic Relations  and was recognized by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, anational Sikh civil rights organization, for its outreach activities. 

*Promoting Safe Schools*

 OCR participated in several state initiatives aimed at preventing harassment,  intimidation and bullying in the schools. In partnership with the Washington  State Office of Public Instruction, OCR delivered eight presentations throughout  the state on identifying strategies to promote harassment-free school environments.  The sessions were widely attended by school district Title IX coordinators,  school counselors, principals and other administrative staff seeking information  to promote safe schools. 

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