How Should Schools Address Bullying - Assignment Example

How Should Schools Address Bullying? There was a time when the standard answer to who were being bullied was that they should either ignore bullying behavior or find a way to fight back. The attitude that most administrations had in school systems was that ‘boys will be boys’ which rarely addressed the problem or provided a way in which to end the abuse. The current environment in schools is a more proactive stand in which school districts and administrations are now looking at the problem and creating policies that no longer tolerate bullying behaviors. Victims of bullies now find that they have advocates in the school system and can see an end to their torment. The Department of Education along with other government agencies have made curbing violence in schools a priority. Schools now have the information, as well as the public support to make sweeping improvements in the quality of experience and level of safety that children have in the school systems. The act of bullying threatens the effectiveness of the education process. Students are not able to learn as well when they are dealing with both physical and emotional threat and trauma throughout the day. Abuse can create emotional scars that run deep and effect a student’s general outlook on life. This can lead to detrimental patterns of behavior that last long after a student has left school and graduated onto the next phase of their life. A study done by the Center for Disease Control in 2010 involved middle and high school students and looked at the topic of verbal shaming. The study found that more than one fifth of their participant group had been verbally shamed in the past year and most were experiencing it on a weekly basis. One in ten of the students surveyed had been lightly assaulted or threatened with physical violence (Understanding School Violence). In a national survey reported by the American Institutes for Research teachers were asked if they believed bullying to be a moderate or major issue. Of those who responded, 40% said they witnessed bullying on a regular basis at a rate of at least once per week (Understanding and Intervening). Intervening for victims so that bullying behaviors are ended is both rational and an act that proactively protects the educational environment. The human costs associated with bullying are too high for school authorities to be ambiguous. Prevention programs have shown effectiveness in reducing the instances of aggressive behaviors in schools. One of the first methods of prevention is simply through awareness that comes from talking about the issue. This first step can bring parents, students, and administrators into the conversation. Through bringing up the issue a school has the opportunity to investigate how serious and prevalent the problem is at their institution. Discussions about bullying can help all of the stakeholders to begin to understand the different ways in which bullying can occur and to create commitments toward tackling the issue (Understanding School Violence). One of the first ways to address the issue after creating awareness is through making or modifying a code of conduct. This action can help to implement rules regarding bullying as well as establish a reporting system. The school administration must make it clear to the student body that bullying will not be tolerated. In addition, fostering an atmosphere in which tolerance, mutual respect and inclusiveness exists can help to create a less hostile atmosphere where bullying might develop. Using a campaign that includes the media outlets available to the school, such as the school website or newsletter, can help to make the message clear to students. The message should also be given at school assemblies and PTA meetings. Teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers and other school staff members should be made fully aware of policies regarding bullying and avail themselves to programs designed to help them respond more effectively in a bullying situation. (StopBullying.gov). Students who may have tendencies toward bullying are usually easily identifiable. Students who exhibit consistent aggressive behaviors or have friends who are aggressive are more likely to be bullies. In addition, students who are often given detention, are highly competitive, blame others for their actions or have belongings or extra money for which they have no explanation might be involved in bullying a victim. Though many students are not willing to tell authorities that they are being bullied, there are indicators of stress and anxiety that can indicate that they are being victimized. Changes in eating and sleeping habits, "lost" personal items, unexplained wounds, uncharacteristically faking an illness, not wanting to go to school or other social events and a sudden and a noticeable decline in grades are some of the signs a child is being bullied (StopBullying.org). The school bus offers a perfect setting for bullying behaviors to occur. Students are in close proximity for various amounts of time, eager to release suppressed energy and cannot be watched constantly. Trying to be attentive to both traffic and a large group of students is an unenviable task. However, steps can be taken to ensure the safety of all on board such as greeting kids as they board to establish authority and a relationship and taking the opportunity in establishing clear rules of conduct. If the driver interacts with students in a positive and professional manner it helps create a safe environment. "Young people respond well to bus drivers who are firm but not tough, courteous and not sarcastic, equal and fair with everyone and are consistent." (Creating a Safe). It is the moral and in many states, legal responsibility of school staff to respond to bullying whether it was witnessed by the staff member or reported by a student. Staff should first ensure everyone in the immediate are of the incident is safe and have received medical treatment if required. It is then necessary to investigate the circumstances in order to respond properly to the situation. Notes should be taken and evidence gathered so that an incident report can be filed with follow-up and appropriate action. Further follow-up should be conducted to ensure that no further bullying is taking place. While investigating and/or intervening in an incident, staff should inquire from all witnesses without attempting to assign blame or refer to the incident as bullying. Students should be questioned separately rather than while in the presence of other students. Postponing questioning is better than public questioning because students are less likely to be honest in front of peers and if they are honest, this could lead to more secretive attacks of bully behavior. It is seldom effective to ask parties to apologize. Instead, staff should approach the situation with calm and neutrality, seeking to find the truth through gentle pressure on witnesses and discreet inquiry. If the situation has escalated to the point of continuing violence then summoning additional staff and law enforcement may be necessary. This is especially important if a weapon is involved, physical harm has caused injury, or if a hate crime or sexual assault is suspected. Caring for the victim includes assuring them that they are not the cause of the abuse. The victim must also know that it is acceptable for them to not want to discuss the abuse. However, ignoring or fighting back are two pieces of advice that authorities should never give to victims. This places the responsibility of the bullying on the victim who is not responsible or at fault. In addition, advocating for additional violence is irresponsible. It is also ill advised to encourage parents of both parties to meet and discuss the issue. At this point, the best situation involves utilizing school resources to resolve the issues and to keep everyone involved safe (Understanding and Intervening). Bulling that occurs at schools can be decreased significance through staff that is committed towards addressing this crucial issue. When administration takes proactive steps to addressing the issue of bullying they are working towards protecting the educational opportunities of both potential victims and of those that would act out through bullying behaviors. Solutions intended to curb violence in schools require long-term dedication. Workshops and programs are readily available to assist school staff in identifying potential bullies and their victims and will usually include outlines for methods of addressing the problems associated with bullying. Both the bully and victim need specialized attention. If each do not receive this assistance as a youth, the internal scars each party carries with them into adulthood could manifest into deeper, more complex problems which affect the students involved, their families and society as a whole. Works Cited "Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment on Our Nation’s School Buses." American Institutes for Research. 2014. Web. November 10, 2014. http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/sssta/20110616_0393Mod1Handoutsd6.pdf Stop Bullying.gov "Prevention at School". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2014 Web. November 10, 2014. http://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/at-school/index.html "Understanding and Intervening in Bullying Behavior”. American Institutes for Research. 2014. Web. November 10, 2014. http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/sssta/20121108_20120928ClsrmMod1HandoutsFINAL1.pdf "Understanding School Violence." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2013. Web. November 10, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/school_violence_fact_sheet-a.pdf Read More