Classrooms and Courtrooms: Facing Sexual Harassment in K-12 Schools

By Nan D. Stein

In this latest and urgently needed volume, Nan Stein synthesizes current issues about sexual harassment in K-12 schools. Central to the summarization of legal cases an survey findings, are the words and experiences of students themselves--students who describe how much sexual harassment provokes

In this volume, Nan Stein brings together what we know about sexual harassment in K - 12 schools, summarizing legal cases as well as the findings of major surveys. More important, she offers the words and experiences of students themselves. Both boys and girls describe their experiences and tell us how much sexual harassment hurts, how and when it occurs, and what happens when students turn to school authorities for help.

As a feminist and youth advocate, the author is passionately concerned about the victims of school sexual violence. She is particularly troubled by research showing that most reported sexual harassment incidents in K - 12 schools occur in public spaces in front of others, often adults who do nothing to intervene or stop the behavior. She argues that this "public performance" of sexual harassment not only damages the self esteem of victims but may also be a training ground for domestic violence.

As a civil libertarian, however, Stein is also concerned with the due process rights of students and staff, as well as efforts to revive the First Amendment in schools. She has served as an expert witness on both sides of the issue, working for plaintiffs as well as for school districts. Throughout, she contributes a unique, balanced, and thoughtful voice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807738786
• ISBN13: 9780807738788
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Teachers College Press
• Length: 151 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I know this book, and I've used it successfully

Okay, first off--the negative review below is worthless. Someone hasn't read the book at ALL. Nan Stein is the primary author of this book, and her work is REALLY well-done. She knows her facts, court cases, and strategies to a "T", and her book is easy to read and accurate. Don't review books you haven't read and then complain that ANOTHER author lacks credibility.I've met Stein, and attended a conference with her. I have this book, and it's covered in underlining now. A book like this should be primary required reading for school faculties and parents of bullied teens.The book describes actual court cases that have determined what schools' and students' rights are, and it examines the methods of bullying and harrassment. Options for students andparents are explored, and then successful school programs to combat bullying are described.

A Critical Issue For Parents and Educators

As a former board of education member and adjunct professor, I commend the authors for bringing additional focus on this issue. As an employment attorney with experience in both profit and not-for profit organizations, harassment in schools and how to deal with it is very different than in the corporate world. More needs to be written on this issue. Educators, administrators, boards of education and teachers can gain alot from policies and training programs already established in the private sector.