It calls for a working group to advise the Vermont Agency of Education on adopting statewide standards for ethnic and social equity education, and to require the state Board of Education to publish information on hazing, harassment and bullying incidents “disaggregated by student groups, including ethnic and racial groups, poverty status, disability status, English language learner status, and gender,” according to the text of the law.
The signing ceremony took place before a large, enthusiastic and diverse crowd of supporters.
In a brief speech, Scott talked of the “educational benefits for kids” and the ultimate goal of creating “a more tolerant society.”
“This is about Vermont and what we really stand for,” said Rep. Kevin “Coach” Christie (D-Hartford), the lead sponsor of H.3. “We’re not a perfect state, but we’re a really great state.” He noted that the bill was approved without opposition in both the House and Senate.
“This bill has been a labor of love for us,” said Amanda Garces, founder of the Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools, which has lobbied for the bill since November 2017. While she celebrated the enactment of H.3, she noted that, “This legislation is the beginning of a long road ahead of us … to make change in Vermont.”
The 20-member Ethnic and Social Equity Standards Advisory Working Group is to be formed by September 1. Its task is to develop educational standards and changes in state law aimed at creating a bias-free environment in schools, and instructional materials aimed at educating students about issues related to bias and inequality. The panel’s deadline is June 30, 2021.
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No one should forget that Mr. Christie also said “”We would say, ‘Why didn’t the attorney general push the limits of the law?'” said Rep.Kevin “Coach” Christie(D-Hartford). “Sometimes you just have to bring it to court regardless of the outcome. A clear statement would have been made: We Vermonters do not tolerate this behavior.”
This is a man who would use the unique authority of the state to publish those holding opinions he disagrees with.
Absent was any mention about hazing, harassment, bullying & persecution of the people by the nobles in the statehouse, city halls & police departments throughout the state. Just how many more bills, statutes, ordinances & policies do we really need trying to scrutinize & regulate peoples behavior?
“…statewide standards for ethnic and social equity education…” We don’t have that now? Can we please get on with tackling the critical issues like the noose around our necks called taxes that are crippling many Vermonters? There may not be a whole lot of social equity in education if we have to bus our children to NH because we can’t afford to pay the discriminatory pension plans and ridiculous wages and benefits or the public sector union employees. Let’s get the priorities strait and stop with all the superficial BS. Change the state constitution, paid family leave, minimum wage and this legislation are all just a distraction from the life or death problems we face but it’s easier for these people to waste their time and our money on this than the tough problems at hand. Vote these idiots out of office or keep suffering the consequences until we are all bled dry.