Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4501: Legislative findings - Safety and civility

The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) A safe and civil environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards;

(2) Harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe environment;

(3) Students learn by example. School administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers who demonstrate appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying, encourage others to do so as well; and

(4) The use of telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and websites by students in a manner that is safe and secure is essential to a safe and civil learning environment and is necessary for students to successfully use technology.