Preventing CROWN Act Incidents is the second in a series of guidance briefs aimed at supporting the implementation of the New York State CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.
The first brief, Understanding the CROWN Act, released by the NYS Education Department in October of 2021, explained how the CROWN Act expanded the Dignity for All Students (Dignity Act) to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, and discussed the importance of the changes and offered resources to help introduce the topic at every grade level.
This brief looks at one of the most critical steps in successfully implementing the CROWN Act in Dignity Act policy and practice: preventing incidents of racial discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles in schools through revising codes of conduct and dress codes, training, and education of staff, students and the community, and creating a positive school climate with culturally aware and responsive learning environments.
For questions about the CROWN Act please contact the Office of Student Support Services at SSEC@nysed.gov or (518) 486-6090