What is DASA?

• The Dignity for All Students Act was established with the broad legislative intent to provide a school environment free of discrimination and harassment.
• Prohibits harassment of students on school property or at school functions, and designates many forms of bullying as unlawful discrimination.

Preventing and Addressing Bias-Based Harassment in Schools

The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) took effect July 1, 2012 and was amended to include cyberbullying effective July 1, 2013.

Its purpose is to provide students with a school environment free of discrimination and harassment by peers and by school personnel. It applies to behaviors on school property, in school buildings, on a school bus, as well as at school-sponsored events or activities.

Incidents of harassment and discrimination may include, but are not limited to, threats, intimidation or abuse based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), and sex. These eleven categories are referred to as protected classes.

The law includes provisions that will alter reporting, codes of conduct, professional development, and classroom instruction.