According to data from the NJ Office of the Attorney General, almost a quarter of all bias incidents take place in K-12 schools—more than any other place. With bias incidents on the rise, schools have a legal obligation to prevent and address harassment and discrimination in the learning environment. This program provides K-12 school administrators, educators, and staff with an overview of their legal obligations in responding to bias incidents, as defined by the NJ Law Against Discrimination (LAD). Through examples and case studies, participants will examine best practices for schools in complying with both the LAD and their First Amendment obligations, reporting to and cooperating with law enforcement following a bias incident, communicating with community members about bias incidents, as well as strategies for supporting affected communities and bias prevention.

Presented by NJEA & NJDCR.