This semester, I have been taking Education Law at Wayne Law. I had never really considered much about education law before this class, but I recognized my lack of knowledge of how our education system works and wanted to find out what the law behind it is. This class has been fantastic and has opened my eyes to the complexities that surround the fundamental element of educating our children and ourselves. It has also showed me that, currently, Michigan is far behind in recognizing the rights of students throughout their education.
Recently, we talked about bullying and acts of hate, related to the schools ability to step in and stop it. I have seen the video from Jamey Rodemeyer, the student who recently contributed his voice to the “It Gets Better” campaign, then was found by his sister because the bullying he was subjected to was too much to handle. We have read cases about how bullying gets worse and worse as technology changes, and how most states have taken active steps toward developing Anti-Bullying legislation and programs to stop bullying and help the victims. I learned Michigan is one of the few states who had no state-wide legislation. Without such legislation, the students have a much harder time recognizing a right and a recourse against the actions of the bullies and even perhaps a school system that might encourage it.
Then, I saw the articles about the “Anti-Bullying” bill going through the state legislature this week. I say “anti-bullying” with the greatest amount of sarcasm, because the language in this bill actually provides a shelter for bullies if they make a statement of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil’s parent or guardian.” This bill is actually creating a means through which people can legally and legitimately bully others. It’s sickening. I’m sure it will be subject to legal challenge if passed. It has already been through the ringer in regards to criticism for how it worked and what it says. Did I mention the father of the child who this bill is named after, Matt Epling (the child), has loudly spoken out against this bill for exactly the language quoted above? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by kristyn4council 
