Creating Safe Schools in Iowa Safe School Certification Program Brent L. Robins, Director th Annual Risky Business Conference Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Scheman Center, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Why Certify Schools as “Safe”? Goal of Schools: Student academic achievement School climate  Academic achievement Deliberate efforts to improve the climate are necessary. Climate Achievement Shindler, J. Exploring school climate - student achievement connection: and making sense of why the first precedes the second. Alliance for the Study of School Climate.

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us How? Whole-School Approach Rules & Sanctions Teacher Training Classroom Curricula Individual Counseling Shindler, Vreeman and Carroll (2007). Social & Emotional Learning & Bullying Prevention (2009).

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Believe Change Can Happen “Bullying is a learned behavior. If it can be learned, it can be examined, and it can be changed.” ~ Barbara Coloroso Coloroso, B. (2003). The bully, the bullied, and the bystander: from preschool to high school--how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence. New York: Harper Collins.

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us A Call to Action “When staff reach a consensus on what bullying is and agree to intervene to prevent and reduce it, rates of bullying drop significantly.” Wright (2004) cited in SEL and Bullying Prevention (2009).

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Federal Civil Rights Laws Law Location in the Law Protected Categories Civil Rights Act of 1964Title VI Race Color National Origin Education Amendments of 1972 Title IXSex Rehabilitation Act of 1973Section 504 Disability Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Title II

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Iowa Civil Rights Act Prohibits discrimination in: employment housing credit public accommodations education

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Iowa Civil Rights Act race color creed national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity pregnancy physical disability mental disability retaliation Discrimination in education is illegal if based on:

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Iowa Safe Schools Law Big Picture – No bullying/harassment by students school employees school volunteers 17 enumerated categories

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Iowa Safe Schools Law 17 enumerated categories Age Color Creed National Origin Race Religion Marital Status Sex Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Physical Attributes Physical/Mental Disability Ancestry Political Party Preference Political Belief Socioeconomic Status Familial Status

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us What Is a ‘Safe School’? Foundation: 2007 Iowa Safe Schools Law 16 Requirements – “Letter of the Law” Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Policy (1-12) Data collection & reporting (13-15) Non-discrimination policy (16)

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us What Is a ‘Safe School’? 8 Additional Elements – “Spirit of the Law” Programs Buy-In Training Leadership Student Engagement Enforcement Data Family/Community Engagement

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification Program (SSCP) Focus: Compliance with Iowa Safe Schools Law - 16 requirements Additional elements of a safe school - 8 elements Funding: Iowa Safe and Supportive Schools Grant

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification Benefits to students and schools: Fee free Voluntary Focus: Schools as safe places (all benefit) 1:1 ongoing support Compliance with federal and state laws Recognition and honor

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us SSCP Coalition Iowa Department of Education Commission on the Status of African Americans Iowa State Education Association Iowa Civil Rights Commission Commission on the Status of Women Iowa Pride Network Latino Affairs Commission Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Commission on Persons with Disabilities Iowa Safe Schools Iowa Department of Human Rights Commission on the Status of Native Americans

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification Source: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Social environment focus Assessing bullying Staff and parental support Coordinating team Training for school staff

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification Source: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Rules and policies Increased adult supervision Intervene consistently & appropriately Devote class time to prevention Ongoing efforts

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification School expresses interest in the program. All school staff complete online interest survey. School is accepted into the program. Bullying/ Harassment policy is audited. Building Investigator is selected/trained. School works on 8 Elements & stays in touch w/ SSCP. School submits artifacts for 8 Elements. SSCP Staff & Advisory determine certification. Induction Ceremony & ongoing audits.

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Safe School Certification

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Program Support For all schools: Individualized plan On-site visits Investigator training Monthly webinars Assessment of current status

PurposeThe LawSSCP OverviewSSCP ProcessContact Us Please Visit Please Call Brent Robins, Director Safe School Certification Program Gayle Canada, Coordinator Safe School Certification Program