Nevada § 388.132 - Legislative declaration concerning safe and respectful learning environment

§ 388.132. Legislative declaration concerning safe and respectful learning environment

The Legislature declares that: 1. Pupils are the most vital resource to the future of this State; 2. A learning environment that is safe and respectful is essential for the pupils

enrolled in the schools in this State and is necessary for those pupils to achieve

academic success and meet this State's high academic standards; 3. Every classroom, hallway, locker room, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium, playground,

athletic field, school bus, parking lot and other areas on the premises of a school

in this State must be maintained as a safe and respectful learning environment, and

no form of discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying will be tolerated

within the system of public education in this State; 4. Any form of discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying seriously

interferes with the ability of teachers to teach in the classroom and the ability

of pupils to learn; 5. The use of the Internet by pupils in a manner that is ethical, safe and secure

is essential to a safe and respectful learning environment and is essential for the

successful use of technology; 6. It will ensure that: (a) The schools in this State provide a safe and respectful learning environment in

which persons of differing beliefs, races, colors, national origins, ancestries, religions,

gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, physical or mental disabilities,

sexes or any other distinguishing characteristics or backgrounds can realize their

full academic and personal potential; (b) All administrators, teachers and other personnel of the school districts and schools

in this State demonstrate appropriate and professional behavior on the premises of

any school by treating other persons, including, without limitation, pupils, with

civility and respect, by refusing to tolerate discrimination based on race, bullying

and cyber-bullying, and by taking immediate action to protect a victim or target of

discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying when witnessing, overhearing

or being notified that discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying is

occurring or has occurred; (c) The quality of instruction is not negatively impacted by poor attitudes or interactions

among administrators, teachers, coaches or other personnel of a school district or

school; (d) All persons in a school are entitled to maintain their own beliefs and to respectfully

disagree without resorting to discrimination based on race, bullying, cyber-bullying

or violence; and (e) Any teacher, administrator, coach or other staff member or pupil who tolerates

or engages in an act of discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying or

violates a provision of NRS 388.121 to 388.1395 , inclusive, regarding a response to discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying

against a pupil will be held accountable; and 7. By declaring this mandate that the schools in this State provide a safe and respectful

learning environment, the Legislature is not advocating or requiring the acceptance

of differing beliefs in a manner that would inhibit the freedom of expression, but

is requiring that pupils be free from physical, emotional or mental abuse while at

school and that pupils be provided with an environment that allows them to learn.