Lindon Chen
Photographer
Due to political incorrectness in California’s education system, kids in many classrooms today are being insulted with offensive language which makes them feel like they’re in a hostile environment.
These politically and morally incorrect sayings are disregarded and permitted in classrooms all over the country. Slurs that degrade homosexuality, race or gender are all being used negatively in the classroom environment every day.
Technically, the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 altered the state’s education code by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to its already -existing nondiscrimination policy, commonly referred to by its education code name, AB537. It also allows students to file complaints if teachers do not honor this policy.
School districts are required to have a staff member that is responsible for handling complaints. They must honor confidentiality, accept the complaints, investigate them and return a write-up within 60 days of the filing. They must also protect those filing the complaints from retaliation.
The state’s education system mandates these requirements. If protocol is not followed, students can appeal to the Department of Education, which will audit the school district and gain oversight to ensure that protocol is followed.
This is a wonderful addition to the California Education Code because it helps students who feel alienated cope with harassments and threats. It empowers them so they can bring justice to those who are politically incorrect and morally offensive.
Most students are unaware of this option because of the lack of publicity for this clause. It may be because schools are afraid that they may lose money from hiring a representative or enforcing the policy upon its teachers; therefore they do not inform their students of this policy. Schools should be required to spread awareness of this ongoing issue and to enlighten their students on this opportunity.
Students who feel victimized should be encouraged to file complaints. School districts are here to serve their students and make their learning experiences as productive as possible. This means a student should not feel threatened at school.
Teachers should not foster these homophobic slurs, either. It is a crime in two ways: to use the slurs and to permit the slurs in their classroom are both restricted by the education code. Teachers should be aware that they could be the perpetrators. Complaints can be filed against them. It is unacceptable that, for over eight years, this issue has gone unnoticed.
AB537 should conclusively promote a safer environment for students by thwarting the usage of derogatory terms. It is a good addition to California’s education code. However, the problem lies in the fact that it is not being enforced. Hopefully, this lack of enforcement will be brought to an end and will create a safer learning environment.
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