The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) added Article 2 to the Education Law (Education Law §§10 through 18), to require, among other things, school districts to create policies and guidelines to be used in school training programs to discourage the development of discrimination or harassment and to enable employees to prevent and respond to discrimination or harassment. These provisions took effect on July 1, 2012.
In June 2012, the Legislature enacted Chapter 102 of the Laws of 2012, which amended the Dignity Act to include a requirement that school professionals applying for a certificate or license on or after July 1, 2013 complete training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. In June 2013 the Legislature amended the effective date to December 31, 2013.
What you need to know…
All applicants applying for certification on or after January 1, 2014 are required to complete six clock hours of coursework or training in accordance with Article 2 Sections 10-18 of the Education Law. This training is available only from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department. Upon completion of the workshop, the provider will give you a Certification of Completion.
Send a copy of the Certificate of Completion to the Office of Teaching Initiatives, RM 5N 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12334. Photocopies are acceptable.
In the case of persons completing State registered programs leading to Certification after December 31, 2013, no Certification of Completion will be awarded because the training is a required component of the programs. No additional training is required.
A list of approved providers can be found at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/dasa-applicant.html
All candidates for a certificate or license for an administrative or supervisory service, classroom teaching service (including applicants for professional certificates), or school service (including teaching assistants) must complete this training.