[Pacg] Urgent Iowa Action Alert: House debate on anti-bullying Weds

[Carolina 1961]

*YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!*

***The Safe Schools bill is expected to be debated in the Iowa House on
Wednesday (February 7).  *The legislation creates a statewide policy for
school districts, protecting all students from bullying and harassment,
including but not limited to real or perceived race, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and other characteristics.
The legislation also creates further accountability for schools and bullying
prevention plans. **

*Please call and email your legislators in the Iowa House and ask them to
support the Safe Schools bill.  This bill already passed the Iowa Senate
last week and has strong momentum going into the House but your immediate
help is critical!  Below are talking points for your reference.  To find
your Representative, go to http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/ *

  House Switchboard: 515-281-3221

Email: FIRST.LAST at legis.state.ia.us

 * Bullying and harassment have become commonplace in our schools: *

   - 17% of students or over 80,000 Iowa students do not feel safe at
   school (Iowa Youth Survey, 2002)
   - 5% of students or nearly 24,000 Iowa students report being
   physically assaulted (Iowa Youth Survey, 2002)
   - 18% of students or nearly 85,000 Iowa students report being
   threatened (Iowa Youth Survey, 2002)
   - 61% of gay and lesbian students do not feel safe at school while 83%
   report being verbally harassed, 34% report being physically harassed, and
   nearly 20% report being physically assaulted
   - 81% of all students report hearing "that's so gay," 63% report
   hearing "fag," and 38% report hearing "queer" frequently or often in school.

 * Parents and educators agree that bullying and harassment is a serious
problem:*

   - A recent survey of Iowa Parent Teacher Association members found
   that 41% felt bullying was *extremely important* and 33% indicated it
   was *very important*.
   - The education community is in agreement on this issue: no child
   should be bullied or harassed, including those that are gay or lesbian.
   School Administrators of Iowa, Iowa State Education Association, Iowa
   Department of Education, and Iowa Association of School Boards all have
   position statements and/or policies on this issue.

*Clearly defined, enumerated policies help eliminate harassment and
bullying:*

·        Students from schools with enumerated polices report that others
are less often harassed in their school because of their physical appearance
(36% vs. 52%) and sexual orientation (32% vs. 43%)

·        Students from schools with enumerated policies are more likely to
feel very safe at school (54% vs. 36%) and one-third less likely to skip a
class because they felt uncomfortable or unsafe (5% vs. 16%)

* Students learn best in classrooms that are safe and free from intimidation
or harassment.*

Thanks,

Cathy Bolkcom
Progressive Action for the Common Good
hm 563-289-4155

www.qcprogressiveaction.org
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