MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
Dignity for All Students Act

The National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter strongly supports S.1454 and A.4963 which would "authorize the commissioner to establish policies and procedures affording all students in public schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression) or sex".

In light of recent world events, children need to be in an environment where they can feel safe and secure.  Only then will they be able to focus on cultivating their academic talents and strive to reach their fullest potential. The Dignity for All Students Act is an important first step in providing this security to our children while promoting cultural sensitivity in schools throughout New York State.

A recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, indicated that 97% of students in a Boston public high school said they heard homophobic remarks on a regular basis from their peers regardless of the actual orientation of the target. Violence against straight youth perceived to be gay increased by 36 percent in 1998 alone. The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington State shows 43% of students reporting having been the target of offensive racial comments or attacks at school.

In addition, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network found in their National School Climate Survey (1999) that over one-third of youth reported that no outside party ever intervened when homophobic remarks were made in their school environment. Furthermore, this same amount of students reported hearing homophobic comments made by school faculty or staff.

All forms of diversity need to be embraced and should continue to be modeled throughout the school systems. NASW-NYS urges the New York State Legislature to make this legislation a priority, leading New York in its quest for respect, sensitivity, and its goal of providing academic excellence.     Support S.1454 and A.4963.