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Does New Jersey's New Anti-Bullying Law Go Too Far?
By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 31, 2011
Modified Sep 1, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 31, 2011
Modified Sep 1, 2011
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When school starts in New Jersey in September (that's already TOMORROW, you guys!), it's going to be open season on bullies, thanks to a new law going intended to snuff out bullying. In the wake of the tragic suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, as well as a general surge in cyber-bullying, Jersey lawmakers passed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights [pdf], which is considered the toughest legislation against bullying in the nation, the Times reports. Too tough, if you ask some educators.
The law requires public schools to come up with anti-bullying policies, report any bullying incidents within a school day, appoint an anti-bullying specialist to investigate incidents, and report regularly to the State Education Department. But some worry the new law creates an undue burden on the school system, without any budget increases to cover it. Where's the money for the anti-bullying specialists (an exciting new field!), and the training for teachers leading anti-bullying classes? This summer, the Times reports that many schools shelled out $1,295 for a 100-page manual and DVD sold by a consulting firm promising to help them comply with the new law.
"I think this has gone well overboard,” Richard G. Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, tells the Times. “Now we have to police the community 24 hours a day. Where are the people and the resources to do this?" Two words: Guidance Counselors. Many schools are deputizing them as bully policeman, and when kids start calling in anonymous atomic wedgie tips to a new Crimestoppers hotline, the guidance counselors will be expected to intervene.
And in addition to the threat of lawsuits against schools who don't protect kids at the bike racks, there's concern the new law will deprive kids of learning "how to deal with conflict,” as Westfield superintendent, Margaret Dolan, puts it. "What a shame if they don’t know how to effectively interact with their peers when they have a disagreement." Could it be Jersey is looking at a whole generation of kids growing up without learning the power of a flaming bag of dog crap, or the satisfaction of watching an older brother bring the hammer down on their tormentors?
Tagged
anti bullying
bullies
bully
cyberbully
new jersey
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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