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DASA Information

The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

BH-BL is an approved DASA certification training provider, offering on-site trainings monthly.

2023-24 DASA Training Schedule

Please register for ONLY ONE Option:

Includes three hours of self-paced, online instruction (recorded PowerPoint with embedded questions)  to be completed prior to a three-hour live virtual meeting with the instructor on one of any of the synchronous dates below:

Fee: $70. Please make checks payable to BH-BL Central School District. Please note, while you may register and participate in the course prior to payment, documentation of completion will not be submitted to NYSED until payment has been received by BH-BL.

Please print the registration confirmation off of Frontline and mail it with a check upon registration to: Dottie Salvatore, BH-BL School District, PO Box 1389, Ballston Lake, NY 12019. (Include a copy of your registration confirmation with the check)

Online Registration & Cost

Use the register links above to sign up online. Each training session is $70. Please print the registration confirmation off MyLearningPlan and mail it with a check (made payable to BH-BL Central School District) at least one-week prior to the course date to:

BH-BL School District
Attn: Dottie Salvatore
PO Box 1389
Ballston Lake, NY 12019.

(You must include a copy of your registration confirmation with the check in order to be officially registered.)

Contacts

Other Information

  • Classes must have a minimum of ten people in order to be offered.
  • Snacks and beverages may be brought into the training room.
  • You must attend the entire six-hour training session to receive certification.

DASA Certification Course Information

The DASA Certification course is designed to meet the new NYS Education Department regulations for Training in Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Discrimination in Schools: Prevention and Intervention.

The amended Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) took effect on July 1, 2013. It requires all persons applying to the New York State Education Department for an administrative or supervisory service, classroom teaching service or school service certificate or license (after December 31, 2013) to complete six hours of training on harassment, bullying and discrimination prevention and intervention.

Off-Site Training Available

BH-BL can also provide DASA certification training at your school or facility. Please contact Juliann DellaRocco to schedule a training at a location of your choosing.

BH-BL DASA Certification Training

As of March 30, 2020, all approved Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training Providers have been approved by NYSED to offer the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training Entirely Online in response to COVID-19 school closures.Sign up anytime prior to the synchronous session.

OBJECTIVES:

In this NYSED approved training, participants will:

  • Understand the intent components, and operational definitions present in the Dignity Act.
  • Develop and enhance awareness and sensitivity to the range of experiences of the specific student populations as named in the Dignity Act.
  • Understand how school climate and culture have an impact on student achievement and behavior.
  • Understand bullying, harassment and discrimination, including indicators, early warning signs, prevention and intervention and how to interact with families of victims and aggressors.
  • Enhance the understanding of diversity and multicultural environments and examine personal biases.
  • Articulate the Reporting Requirements for Educators as specified in the Dignity Act.

Includes three hours of self-paced, online instruction (recorded PowerPoint with embedded questions) beginning on or after 5/1 and a 3 hour live virtual meeting with the instructor on any of your choice of three conveniently scheduled times listed below. You can sign up for any section up until the day before the live meeting it is scheduled!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dignity Act?

The Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) was established with the broad legislative intent to provide a school environment free of discrimination and harassment.

What does New York State Education Department (NYSED) have to do?

  • The Commissioner shall promulgate regulations to assist schools in implementing this legislation.
  • The Commissioner shall create procedures under which material incidents of discrimination and harassment on school grounds or at a school function are reported to the department on an annual basis.
  • The Commissioner shall provide direction which may include development of model policies related to preventing discrimination and harassment.

What does my Board of Education have to do?

  • Develop policies intended to create a school environment that is free from discrimination or harassment.
  • Develop guidelines for school training programs to discourage discrimination or harassment that are designed to:
    • Raise awareness and sensitivity of school employees to potential discrimination or harassment and;
    • To enable employees to prevent and respond to discrimination or harassment.

Develop guidelines relating to the development of non-discriminatory instructional and counseling methods and require that at least one staff member be trained to handle human relations issues.

Who is protected under this legislation?

Identified in the legislation are those who are subjected to intimidation or abuse based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

Do schools need to provide this information to the public?

A plain language copy of the board approved Code of Conduct must be made available to the public.

How does The Dignity Act define “Harassment?”

Harassment is defined as “creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being;…”

What training do schools provide?

School districts have developed policies intended to create an environment that is free of discrimination or harassment and established guidelines for school training programs.

Why is The Dignity Act necessary?

The Act provides a response to the large number of harassed and stigmatized students skipping school and engaging in high risk behaviors by prohibiting discrimination in public schools and establishing the basis for protective measures such as training and model policies. The Dignity Act takes a major step in creating more nurturing environments in all our schools.

How does The Dignity Act relate to SAVE?

NYSED with the New York State Center for School Safety (NYSCSS) is developing guidance to correlate components of SAVE as they relate to The Dignity Act.

When did The Dignity Act become effective?

The Dignity Act became effective on July 1, 2012.