Tropic Thunder Promoting Sterotypes

A copy of the reponse from the great state of Florida regarding a movie that mocks disabilities.

Please read for content and see if he addressed the issue.



"Dear Ms. Whitehead:



Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith asked our office to respond to the electronic message dated August 13, 2008. Your message, sent on behalf of the Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities (STAND) and FRIENDS –Support, Inc., expressed concern that students may choose to bring merchandise to school that contains offensive language related to a new film, “Tropic Thunder.” In particular, you requested that school districts prohibit the presence of all such merchandise under anti-bullying laws and regulations. We are pleased to respond on behalf of the Commissioner.



While we certainly understand your concern, Florida law provides district school boards with the authority to adopt programs and policies to ensure safety and welfare. These programs and policies may impose dress-related requirements if the district school board finds that those requirements are necessary for the safety or welfare of the student body or school personnel [Section 1001.43(1)(b), Florida Statutes (F.S)]. In order to access "" >Section 1001.43, F.S., please visit http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch1001/SEC43.HTM&Title=-%3E2008-%3ECh1001-%3ESection%2043#1001.43.



On July 31, 2008, DOE released a model policy against bullying and harassment in accordance with Senate Bill 669. This model policy provides further guidelines for districts but does not replace current policies prohibiting bullying and harassment. Within this model policy, there is language about the belief that “setting standards of student behavior should be established cooperatively through interaction among students, parents/legal guardians, staff and community members producing an atmosphere where students grow in self-discipline.” The model policy may be found at http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5066/k12-2008-92a.pdf.



As far as bullying and harassment policies and training, the DOE has spent several years providing bullying and harassment prevention training and information. This year was the third year ofFlorida’s Bullying Prevention Conference. Florida has adopted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) campaign “Stop Bullying Now” as a Florida campaign. Additional bullying prevention activities may be found on DOE’s Web site at http://www.fldoe.org/safeschools/. On this site, you will also find the district contacts for Safe and Drug-Free Schools. We are providing Brooks Rumenik, Director of the Office of Safe Schools, with a copy of this e-mail in order to make her aware of our correspondence with you.



As you probably know, on June 13, 2008, Governor Crist signed into law Senate Bill 856. This bill created Section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes, entitled “Disability History and Awareness Instruction.” The law requires districts to designate the first two weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks. The law also encourages school districts to provide disability history and awareness instruction with a goal toward facilitating better treatment for individuals with disabilities, especially for youth in school, and increased attention to preventing the bullying or harassment of students with disabilities. An additional goal is to encourage increased self-esteem and expectations for individuals with disabilities, thereby promoting more students with disabilities to seek postsecondary education and employment. The Bureau will be working to provide resources for school districts to support Disability History and Awareness Weeks.



Thank you for contacting the Commissioner with your concerns. If we can be of additional assistance, please contact Kathy Burton, Program Specialist, by telephone at (850) 245-0478 or by electronic mail at kathy.burton@fldoe.org.



Sincerely,





Bambi J. Lockman, Chief

Bureau of Exceptional Education

and Student Services



BJL/kbs



cc: Brooks Rumenik

Kathy Burton