The Massachusetts Bar Association co-sponsored the 2013 New
England Conference on Bullying at Lesley University. The full-day
conference highlighted current methods for recognizing both civil
and educational rights in school systems.
The conference provided New England educators and school attorneys
ways to foster safe, equitable and inclusive school climates.
Conference panelists identified practical systems and strategies to
help schools successfully combat bullying and discriminatory
harassment, including sexual harassment.
"The sessions focused on understanding the differences between
bullying and harassment, and how to effectively implement proper
policies and workable procedures in schools," said Molly A.
Gosline, the founder and owner of School Climate Consulting, who
organizes the annual conference.
The MBA's Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section Vice
Chair Richard W. Cole presented three of the conference's four
sessions. He offered an overview of key "legally protective"
practices for schools to prevent civil liability and governmental
enforcement actions over violations of federal and state civil
rights laws, as well as bullying laws.