Safe Schools Improvement Act
H.R. 1199; S. 403
The Problem
Bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) students, as well as students percieved to be LGBT, is widespread. While current federal law provides important support to promote school safety, it does not comprehensively and expressly focus on bullying or harassment, and in no way addresses the unique challenges faced by LGBT youth. Studies have shown that bullying and harassment of LGBT youth contributes to high rates of absenteeism, dropout, adverse health consequences and academic underachievement. When left unchecked, such bullying and harassment can lead to, and has led to, dangerous situations for young people.
Growing Up LGBT in America
LGBT youth experience bullying at school more frequently than their non-LGBT peers. In fact, LGBT youth are twice as likely to experience verbal harassment, exclusion and physical attack at school as their non-LGBT peers. Among LGBT youth, 51 percent have been verbally harassed at school, compared to 25 percent among non-LGBT students; 48 percent say they are often excluded by their peers because they are different, compared to 26 percent among non-LGBT students; and 17 percent report they have been physically attacked at school, compared to 10 percent among non-LGBT students.
LGBT youth also identify bullying as a primary problem in their lives. They identified family rejection (26 percent), school/bullying problems (21 percent) and fear of being out or open (18 percent) as the top three problems they face. In comparison, non-LGBT youth identified classes/exams/grades (25 percent), college/career (14 percent) and financial pressures (11 percent) as the top three problems they face. Clearly, LGBT youth spend time worrying about bullying and rejection, while their non-LGBT peers are able to focus on grades, career choices and the future.
Growing up LGBT in America is a survey of more than 10,000 LGBT teens (ages 13 – 17) across the country on what life is like for them in America today. This is the largest known survey of LGBT youth ever conducted. It includes LGBT youth from every region of the country, from urban, suburban and rural communities, and from a wide variety of social, ethnic and racial backgrounds. Learn more at www.hrc.org/youth.
What is the Safe Schools Improvement Act?
The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require schools and districts receiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The SSIA would also require that states report data on bullying and harassment to the Department of Education. Additionally, the SSIA would require the Department of Education to provide Congress with a report on the state reported data, along with other specified data, every two years.
Broad Support from Educators and Administrators
Numerous education, health, law enforcement and youth development organizations support federal legislation to combat bullying and harassment, including the American Federation of Teachers, American School Health Association, National Association of School Psychologists, National Education Association, and National Parent Teacher Association.
What is the current status of the bill?
SSIA was reintroduced in the 113th Congress in the Senate by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) on February 28, 2013 and in the House by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) on March 14, 2013.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
Last Updated: March 15, 2013