GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1550*

Short Title:  Respectful Forms of Address/Schools.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Wainwright; Dedmon, Smith, Barefoot, and Thomas.

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Referred to:  Education, if favorable, Appropriations.

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May 16, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ADDRESSING TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES USE RESPECTFUL FORMS OF ADDRESS SUCH AS "MA'AM", "SIR", OR AN APPROPRIATE TITLE FOLLOWED BY A SURNAME AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO PROVIDE AND ENHANCE INSTRUCTION IN CHARACTER EDUCATION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 115C-81(h) reads as rewritten:
"(h)	Character Education. – Local boards of education may require the teaching of the following character traits in the public schools:
(1)	Courage. – Having the determination to do the right thing even when others don't and the strength to follow your conscience rather than the crowd; and attempting difficult things that are worthwhile.
(2)	Good judgment. – Choosing worthy goals and setting proper priorities; thinking through the consequences of your actions; and basing decisions on practical wisdom and good sense.
(3)	Integrity. – Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all things; acting justly and honorably.
(4)	Kindness. – Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others; showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity; and treating others as you would like to be treated.
(5)	Perseverance. – Being persistent in the pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of difficulty, opposition, or discouragement; and exhibiting patience and having the fortitude to try again when confronted with delays, mistakes, or failures.
(6)	Respect. – Showing high regard for authority, for other people, for self, for property, and for country; and understanding that all people have value as human beings.  As an aspect of this character trait, public schools shall include instruction on respectful forms of address students should use in addressing school employees on school property. The forms of address shall include but not be limited to the use of ‘Yes, Ma'am', ‘No, Ma'am', ‘Yes, Sir', ‘No, Sir', and the use of an appropriate title such as ‘Mr.' or Mrs.' followed by a surname.
(7)	Responsibility. – Being dependable in carrying out obligations and duties; showing reliability and consistency in words and conduct; being accountable for your own actions; and being committed to active involvement in your community.
(8)	Self-Discipline. – Demonstrating hard work and commitment to purpose; regulating yourself for improvement and restraining from inappropriate behaviors; being in proper control of your words, actions, impulses, and desires; choosing abstinence from premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances and behaviors; and doing your best in all situations."
Section 2.  G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"§ 115C-47. Powers and duties generally.
In addition to the powers and duties designated in G.S. 115C-36, local boards of education shall have the power or duty:
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(29c)	To Adopt Policies Requiring Public School Students to Address School Employees in a Respectful Manner. – The General Assembly urges local boards of education to develop programs and provide instruction to students on the forms of address that students should use in addressing teachers and other school employees on school property and at school-sponsored activities.  These forms of address should include but not be limited to the use of ‘Yes, Ma'am', ‘No, Ma'am', ‘Yes, Sir', ‘No, Sir', and the use an appropriate title such as ‘Mr. or Mrs.' followed by a surname.
The policies should provide that students who fail to use appropriate, respectful forms of address, are required to attend an extracurricular program on respectful address outside of the regular school day.  The policies should also provide for parental involvement if attendance at an extracurricular program does not resolve the problem."
Section 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Board of Education the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.  The State Board shall allocate these funds to local boards of education to implement the provisions of this act.
Section 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2000.