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,  observance  of  laws  and  rules,  courtesy,  dignity  and  other  traits which will enhance the quality of  their experiences in, and contributions to, the community.  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.    * NB Effective until July 1, 2012    * §   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,  observance  of  laws  and  rules,  courtesy,  dignity  and  other  traits which will enhance the quality of  their experiences in, and contributions to, the community.  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 discrimination or  harassment  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.    * NB Effective July 1, 2012