|
Bullying & Harassment : What Schools Can Do
By Melinda Bossenmeyer The Department of Education and U.S. Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, have taken an unprecedented step forward on the issue of School Safety and specifically, on bullying and discriminatory harassment. The Department of Education issued guidance to support educators in combating bullying in schools by clarifying when student bullying may violate federal education anti-discrimination laws and the schools’ responsibility to intervene. Secretary Duncan held a teleconference to discuss the implications of bullying as it may relate to civil rights discrimination. All of this followed the recent national publicity surrounding a string of deaths , which have included the suicide of a college student who took his own life after it was revealed he was allegedly gay. Guidance Targeting Harassment Outlines Local and Federal Responsibility President Obama Weighs InPresident Obama released his “It gets better” video, taped at the White House and posted at The White House Blog, the weekend following the college student’s suicide incident. The blog posting and video served to reaffirm President Obama’s commitment to making schools safe for all students. He commented that “Recently, several young people have taken their own lives after being bullied for being gay – or perceived as being gay – by their peers. Their deaths are shocking and heartbreaking tragedies. No one should have to endure relentless harassment or tormenting. No one should ever feel so alone or desperate that they feel they have nowhere to turn. We each share a responsibility to protect our young people.” President Obama also pointed out we have an obligation to set an example of respect and kindness, regardless of our differences. President Obama’s video follows his previous steps taken to prevent bullying. In August 2010, A Presidential Task Force on bullying prevention staged the first-ever National Bullying Summit, bringing together 150 top state, local, civic, and corporate leaders to begin mapping out a national plan to end bullying. The task force also launched a new website, www.bullyinginfo.org, which brings all the federal resources on bullying together in one place for the first time ever. Legislation on bullying
Even before the recent incidents, bullying was a “hot” topic in education[2] and in communities alike. According to “Stop Bullying Now”[3], only 5 states do not have legislation on bullying. States that have adopted anti-bullying legislation report that the laws have led to increased teacher training, character education and sensitivity programs, according to Bully Policy USA, a group that tracks bullying legislation. It is difficult however to determine if theses policies and programs aimed at preventing bullying are having any effect as the reporting systems vary and some states do not even track bullying incidents. Clearly, legislation alone is not enough to eradicate this pervasive problem schools face daily. Stop Bullying Now - State Laws on Bullying The involvement of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), through issuing the Dear Colleague Letter: Harassment and Bullying, is unprecedented because it points out that student misconduct that falls under a school’s anti-bullying policy also may trigger responsibilities under one or more of the federal anti-discrimination laws enforced by the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and listed below:
Office of Civil Rights - Dear Colleague Letter: Harassment and Bullying Civil Rights Regulations and Bullying The Letter reminds school districts that they may be violating these important civil rights statutes and the Department’s regulations when peer harassment is based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability is sufficiently serious that it creates a hostile environment and such harassment is encouraged, tolerated, not adequately addressed, or ignored by school employees. Further the Letter states, "Once a school knows or reasonably should know of possible student-on-student harassment, it must take immediate and appropriate action to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred. If harassment has occurred, a school must take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the harassment, eliminate any hostile environment, and prevent its recurrence. These duties are a school’s responsibility even if the misconduct also is covered by an anti-bullying policy and regardless of whether the student makes a complaint, asks the school to take action, or identifies the harassment as a form of discrimination."
With this new perspective, Districts may be well served to update bullying prevention policies and institute school wide approaches to addressing the problem. Below are some resources that should help with that process: Bullying ResourcesStop Bullying Now - This is the first place I go for resources and information
on bullying prevention. The site is updated frequently and the number of
educator resources keeps growing. US Department of Health and Human Services
Website on Bullying and how to prevent it. A section of children’s games
and activities with suggestions for “What you can Do” is included. Also
there is a large “What Adults Can Do” with numerous resources for educators. Bullying Info Part of Find Youth Info.gov which is composed of 12 Federal
Agencies that support programs and services focusing on Youth. A partner
of Stop Bullying Now. Bullying: A Guide for Educators What is Bullying? A Powerpoint Presentation Bullying Theme: Education World (October 2010) Preventing Bullying: A Manual for Schools and Communities Bullying Survey- National Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance released a bullying survey specifically designed for
physical education settings. The bullying awareness survey is an anonymous
activity that can be used as an instant activity.
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/toolbox/upload/PE-Bullying-Awareness-Survey.doc School Climate Questionnaire : Teaching Tolerance Teaching Tolerance Website. The ABCs of Bullying: Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School
Aggression Course. Department of Education Advisory Bullying and Harassment - Dear Colleague Letter info:
[2] National School Safety and Security Services.
Article “Bullying and School Safety.” 2010 Free Monthly Newsletter!The monthly Play Nice! Newsletter is full of tips and techniques for managing a Peaceful Playground. Each month subscribers receive links to valuable resources for free playground grants and updated product information on the award winning playground safety program from Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer. Add your email address today! 
|
Only 5
states do not have legislation on bullying
