Project Summary

The Massachusetts Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) was a project sponsored by former Attorney General Tom Reilly from June 2005 to January 2007. The SSI was an innovative, statewide collaboration of over 50 organizational and individual partners (including the New England Equity Assistance Center at The Education Alliance) committed to providing tools, such as comprehensive policies, technical assistance to district leadership teams, and professional development to school staff on issues surrounding safe school climates.

To develop these tools and strategies, three Massachusetts districts were selected to become pilot districts. Along with officials from the MA Department of Education and from the Attorney General’s Office, NEEAC staff participated on the core leadership team that met at least once per month. The NEEAC also worked intensively with the district leadership teams in two of the three pilot districts. NEEAC led and participated in numerous training sessions, particularly those on adopting and implementing the SSI’s model policy to prevent bullying, harassment, and hate crime.