Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

NYSED Guidelines

Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth: 2023 Legal Update and Best Practices (NYSED 2024)
Provides guidance to assist school districts in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free from discrimination in compliance with local, state, and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, discrimination, and student privacy. 

Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act or DASA) 
Seeks to provide NYS public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus, and/or at a school function. It was signed into law on 9/13/10 and went into effect on 7/1/2012.   

NYSED Memos

Reminder from Attorney General Schneiderman and Education Commissioner Elia that New York State Protects Transgender Students (NYSED 2/28/18)
This letter clarifies the rights of all students in NY to enjoy a safe and nondiscriminatory educational environment without regard to their gender identity and confirms the ongoing obligation of all school districts in New York State to protect those rights under state and federal law.   

Available Guidance and Resources to Combat Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination in Schools in Light of Recent Immigration-related Actions (NYSED 2/27/17)

Letter to School Leaders Provides Resources for Complying with the Dignity for All Students Act and Preventing and Addressing Hate-Based Actions (NYSED 11/18/16)
NYSED Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman's letter to school districts on how to ensure schools are safe havens free of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation towards students and employees due to race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis.

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Page Updated 5/10/24