N.Y. Education Law § 801-a: Instruction in civility, citizenship and character education

§ 801-a. Instruction in civility, citizenship and character education.

The regents shall ensure that the course of instruction in grades

kindergarten through twelve includes a component on civility,

citizenship and character education. Such component shall instruct

students on the principles of honesty, tolerance, personal

responsibility, respect for others, with an emphasis on discouraging

acts of harassment, bullying, discrimination, observance of laws and

rules, courtesy, dignity and other traits which will enhance the quality

of their experiences in, and contributions to, the community. Such

component shall include instruction of safe, responsible use of the

internet and electronic communications. The regents shall determine how

to incorporate such component in existing curricula and the commissioner

shall promulgate any regulations needed to carry out such determination

of the regents. For the purposes of this section, "tolerance," "respect

for others" and "dignity" shall include awareness and sensitivity to

harassment, bullying, discrimination and civility in the relations of

people of different races, weights, national origins, ethnic groups,

religions, religious practices, mental or physical abilities, sexual

orientations, genders, and sexes.