Addressing Harassment Online Toolkit

This toolkit provides a variety of resources for understanding the definitions and requirements of Vermont's School Harassment Law: Act 91 of 2004. It offers tools for implementing the law effectively and for meeting legal mandates. These resources are designed for use by school administrators in staff development, parent education and student learning, but it is important to remember that they are intended to supplement school training in these issues, not replace it.

Many of these resources and tools can be used in settings beyond Vermont. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a list of Other Resources, including a link to the web site Safe Passage Media and a chance to order the DVDs Ryan's Story: Bullying and Suicide Prevention and What You May Not Know: Internet Safety and Suicide Awareness.

The Center for Health and Learning strongly believes that addressing harassment and bullying should be accomplished by attending to the overall school climate through multiple strategies. CHL offers trainings in: Bullying and Harassment: A Brief Overview and Vermont's School Harassment Law: Understanding the Definitions and Requirements of Act 91 and other trainings as well as technical assistance related to overall school climate.

General Resources and Tools

• Vermont School Designated Employee List
• Definitions of Bullying and Harassment from 2004 & 2007 Vermont Legislature
• Continuum of Behaviors
• Federal Employment Discrimination Laws
• Federal School Civil Rights Laws
• Roles People Play in Harassment Incidents
• Scenarios: High School
• Scenarios: Elementary / Middle School
• Strategies for Preventing Harassment
• Responding to Harassment Complaints Chart
• Factors to Consider before Engaging in an Informal Resolution Process and/or Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods for Harassment Complaints
• Steps for Communicating with Parents / Guardians of Students involved in a harassment complaint
• Harassment Prevention & Response Resources
• Zero Indifference: A Guide to Stop Name-Calling & Bullying, Pages 17-21
• On Being An Ally
• Vermont Harassment Data

VT Department of Education Model Harassment Policy & Procedures

• School Self-Check Memo: January 24, 2006
• DOE Memo: Revised Prevention of Harassment of Students Model Policy (August 1, 2007)
• DOE Model Harassment Policy & Procedures (click on Student Harassment) (revised 2007 by DOE and HRC)

ACT 91 of 2004: Vermont’s Harassment Law

• Text of Law
• Vermont’s Statutes, Title 16/Section 11
• Vermont’s Statutes, Title 16/Section 14
• Vermont’s Statutes, Title 16/Section 565

Vermont Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act

Online Statute

• Section 4500
• Section 4501
• Section 4502
• Section 4506
• Section 4507

Independent Reviewer Information

• Act 91 Independent Reviewers DOE memo– October 25, 2004
• VT DOE Brochure about Independent Reviewers

ACT 117 of 2004 re: Bullying

• Act 117 of 2004 re: Bullying
• VT DOE Model Bullying Policy

Other Resources

• Ryan's Story: Bullying and Suicide Prevention
  Ryan's father has spoken at over 100 schools to share the tragic circumstances of his son's death and describe the dangers of bullying and the Internet. Visit this web site to order the DVDs that will make his gripping, eye-opening message available to all middle and high school students and their parents.
  http://www.safepassagemedia.com/index.htm
• A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute PEER TRAINING PROGRAM
• Making A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ®: ADL's Peer Training Program
• A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute
• ALANA Handout for Parents in Vermont: “What Should Happen if Your Child Experiences Harassment at School”
• Bullying Information & Statistics