Equity and Belonging
Updated Guidance on Addressing Hate and Bias in K-12 Schools
Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell have released updated guidance to K-12 schools on how to address hate and bias-motivated incidents consistent with their legal obligations. The guidance has been specifically updated to help school districts distinguish between protected student speech and unprotected bullying and harassment. It reminds school districts of their legal obligations to allow for discourse and expression of different viewpoints while also promptly investigating and responding to any and all incidents of alleged harassment or bullying. It also calls on school districts to take affirmative steps to create school environments that are safe and inclusive for all students and prevent hate and bias incidents from occurring.
“Attorney General Campbell and I are issuing this guidance to send a clear message that hate has no place in Massachusetts – especially not in our schools,” said Governor Healey. “This guidance and these grants are giving our schools the tools they need to better prevent and respond to hate. Together, we can ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming, inclusive environments for all students.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Attorney General’s Office’s approach to addressing hate is focused on awareness, education, and understanding. Their goal is to create environments that are safe for self-expression and conducive to dialogue and learning. This requires celebrating diverse perspectives, teaching the histories of marginalized communities, honoring their contributions to Massachusetts society, and creating safe forums for self-expression and discourse.
Attached below is a Q&A and a “quick-guide” for school leaders, students, families, and community members, on responding to hate and discriminatory bullying and harassment.
Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell have released updated guidance to K-12 schools on how to address hate and bias-motivated incidents consistent with their legal obligations. The guidance has been specifically updated to help school districts distinguish between protected student speech and unprotected bullying and harassment. It reminds school districts of their legal obligations to allow for discourse and expression of different viewpoints while also promptly investigating and responding to any and all incidents of alleged harassment or bullying. It also calls on school districts to take affirmative steps to create school environments that are safe and inclusive for all students and prevent hate and bias incidents from occurring.
“Attorney General Campbell and I are issuing this guidance to send a clear message that hate has no place in Massachusetts – especially not in our schools,” said Governor Healey. “This guidance and these grants are giving our schools the tools they need to better prevent and respond to hate. Together, we can ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming, inclusive environments for all students.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Attorney General’s Office’s approach to addressing hate is focused on awareness, education, and understanding. Their goal is to create environments that are safe for self-expression and conducive to dialogue and learning. This requires celebrating diverse perspectives, teaching the histories of marginalized communities, honoring their contributions to Massachusetts society, and creating safe forums for self-expression and discourse.
Attached below is a Q&A and a “quick-guide” for school leaders, students, families, and community members, on responding to hate and discriminatory bullying and harassment.