N.Y. Education Law § 10: Legislative intent

§ 10. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that students' ability

to learn and to meet high academic standards, and a school's ability to

educate its students, are compromised by incidents of discrimination or

harassment including bullying, taunting or intimidation. It is hereby

declared to be the policy of the state to afford all students in public

schools an environment free of discrimination and harassment. The

purpose of this article is to foster civility in public schools and to

prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with a school's

educational mission.