Content Area- Bullying

Content Area- Bullying

Study Guide

Content area- Bullying

Title: “Parents and Educators working together to keep our students safe.”

Learner Objectives:

  • Define Bullying and its Different Forms
  • List Risk Factors Related to Bullying
  • Identify Positive Steps to Combat Bullying
  • Our Agenda
  • Identify What Bullying Is and Is Not
  • List Warning Signs That Lead to Bullying
  • Describe Positive Strategies That Create Healthy Schools

Glossary of Today’s Terms:

  • SWPBS= School-wide Positive Behavior Support
  • PBS = Positive Behavior Support
  • FBA= Functional Behavior Assessment
  • BIP= Behavior Improvement Plan

Bullying - Let’s define it:

A student is bullied when he or she is targeted______and over time, to negative actions on the part of______.

  • An important point to remember:

Bullying implies an imbalance______or______.

The student who is bullied has difficulty defending himself.

How Does This Fit Into Positive Behavior Support?

  • Universal Supports are Implemented School-Wide
  • Teachers and Administrators are working together to stop bullying
  • Proactive and preventative measures are in place to keep all students safe
  • Students at-risk or that require more intensive help are identified and supported
  • Interventions and action-plans are data driven

Bullying can take the following forms:

  1. Physical
  2. Verbal
  3. Sexual
  4. Psychological Attacks
  5. Intimidation

Where does bullying usually occur?

  • 48% Hallways/ Stairwells
  • 32% In Class (with teacher absent)
  • 29% In Gym Class/ Locker Rooms
  • 27% In Class (with teacher present)
  • 24% In Lunch Room
  • 17% In Bathroom
  • 15% On the Bus
  • 16% On the Way To and From School

What does the research tell us?

  • Bullying is related to more serious forms of violence – both for the victims and also the child doing the bullying.
  • Related acts include frequent fighting and the carrying of weapons.
  • Bullying is also associated with a higher risk of substance abuse.
  • Related Problems
  • Bullying is often a trigger to other social and criminal difficulties.
  • A series of “Risk Factors” contribute to the onset and intensity of bullying behaviors.
  • Bullying can be just one manifestation of other problems present in the home, at school, or in the community.

Examples of Risk Factors

  • Frequent loss of temper
  • Frequent physical fighting
  • Extreme impulsiveness
  • Easily frustrated
  • Harmful acts to animals
  • Name calling and abusive language
  • Excessive feelings of rejection, isolation, or persecution

Contributing Factors

  • Substance or alcohol abuse by someone in the family
  • Family violence
  • Lack of warmth and involvement on the part of the parent
  • Lack of setting clear limits for the child
  • Lack of or inadequate parental supervision
  • Child maltreatment, such as sexual or physical abuse
  • When dealing with Bullying- what NOT to do.
  • Do not tell or teach a child to fight back.
  • Do not assume that it will work out on its own.
  • Do not let students EVER think that bullying is OK.

Example prevention programs include:

  • The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
  • Bully Proofing Your School
  • BullySafe USA
  • The Don’t Laugh at Me Program (DLAM)

What can you do?

  • Assessing school needs and goals via an anonymous questionnaire.
  • Form a bullying prevention committee.
  • Increase supervision in areas that that are known to be prone to bullying.
  • Develop school-wide rules for consistent consequences violations of bullying.
  • Develop a system to reinforce positive behaviors.

References

Big Bad Bully. (1995). Psychology Today. Retrieved 4-5-08

Crothers,L. M., Kolbert, J. B., (2008) Tackling a Problematic Behavior ManagementIssue: Teachers’

Intervention in Childhood Bullying Problems, Intervention in Schools and Clinic, 43, 132-139.

Ellis, A.A., Shute, R. (2007) Teacher Responses to Bullying in Relation to Moral Orientation and

Seriousness of Bullying, British Journal of Educational Psychology, 77, 649-663.

Frisen,A., Jonsson, A.K., Persson, C. (2007) Adolescents’ Perception Of Bullying: Who Is The Victim?

Who is the Bully? What Can Be Done to Stop Bullying? ADOLESCENCE, 42, 749-761.

Green, G. (2005) Bullying: A Concern for Survival. Education, 128, 333- 336.

SAMHSA, (2004) Retrieved 4-10-08 From bully_6_pg4.htm

Contact Information

Kathryn W. Enos

University of Pittsburgh

Email-

Copyright 2008 Kathryn W. Enos- University of Pittsburgh

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