School Climate & Safety News in Brief

Mass. Ends Letter Policy on Student Weight

By The Associated Press — October 22, 2013 1 min read
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Massachusetts schools will no longer send letters to parents about their children’s weight after public-health officials decided last week to end the practice, citing concerns about privacy and bullying.

Health officials said there was evidence that informing parents of their child’s weight status had no effect on pediatric obesity.

They also said some information may not have been safeguarded, prompting worries that the information could lead to bullying.

Schools must still collect the data, and parents will be allowed to request the information.

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A version of this article appeared in the October 09, 2013 edition of Education Week as Mass. Ends Letter Policy on Student Weight

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