Publication Title: 
Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition
Publication Date: 
Monday, June 10, 2013

More than 70 Oregon school districts changed their anti-bullying policies last year to better protect students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but nearly one in three school districts still does not comply with state law, a new report has found.

The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon collected and examined school distrct policy information from nearly all of Oregon's 197 school districts. School districts were evaluated based on how well the district policies complied with the amended Oregon Safe Schools Act. The state law, passed with leadership from Basic Rights Oregon in 2009 and amended in 20102, strengthened protections for students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or are targeted because of their gender identity.

The evaluation process gave school districts gold, silver, or bronze stars, based on how well they met the legal requirements and recommendations of the amended Oregon Safe Schools Act. Compared to last year, the number of school districts recognized with a gold or silver star more than doubled.
Citations: 
Aaron Ridings. State of the Safe Schools Act: 2013 Anti-Bullying & Harassment Policy Adoption Update. Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition. June 10, 2013. http://www.oregonsafeschools.org/wp-content/uploads/SafeSchoolsReport_2013_pages_v5.pdf