Bullying Prevention and Intervention

USDE Dear Colleague Letter

As part of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance to schools

reminding them that bullying is wrong and must not be tolerated – including against America's 6.5 million students with disabilities. The Department issued guidance in the form of a letter to educators detailing public schools' responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of Americans with Disabilities Act regarding the bullying of students with disabilities. If a student with a disability is being bullied, federal law requires schools to take immediate and appropriate action to investigate the issue and, as necessary, take steps to stop the bullying and prevent it from recurring.

Last Updated: October 24, 2014