Eric Bunting EDAS 8309 LRSD’s Anti-Bully Policy Educational Policy Project

Policy Background Sociopolitical & Historical Context and Analysis Sociopolitical & Historical Context and Analysis Legal Context & Analysis Legal Context & Analysis Policy Implementation Policy Implementation Recommendations Recommendations

The Little Rock School District’s (LRSD) Anti-Bullying Policy states that “Bullying of any type has no place in a school setting. The LRSD will endeavor to maintain a learning and working environment fee of bullying.” The LRSD’s Anti-bullying policy: –Defines Bullying –Clarifies when bullying is prohibited. –Details the procedures by which students, teachers, and administrators can report and/or handle bullying. –List the consequences for violating the anti-bullying policy. Policy

“Bullying” means the intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, threat or incitement of violence on a continuous basis....by a written, verbal, electronic, or physical act. Bullying is prohibited: –While in school, on school equipment or property, in school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, at school-sponsored activities, at school sanctioned events; or –By an electronic act that results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment, whether or not the electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment. Policy

Procedures –Any student who is a victim of bullying or who witnesses or has reliable information that a student has been a victim of bullying should report the incident to the building administrator. The student’s identity will be kept anonymous if he/she feels in danger of retaliation. –Any school employee who witnesses or has reliable information that a student has been a victim of bullying shall report the incident to any administrator. –The building administrator will act promptly to investigate all complaints of bullying. If it is determined that bullying has occurred, the administrator will discipline any student or group of students according to the designated consequences. Policy

Policy was adopted on June 26, 2003 as a result of Act 681 Revised 2 times: June 14, 2007 and January 24, 2013 The policy is in the LRSD student handbook as well as on the district website. The policy is implemented by teachers and administrators across the district. Mr. Reggie Merritt, Coordinator of LRSD Safe Schools/Dropout prevention is primarily responsible for handling bullying documentation. Sociopolitical & Historical Context

Federal Government Although no federal laws address bullying directly, bullying overlaps with discriminatory harassment A national concern in response to high profile bullying incidents in recent years Stopbullying.gov State Government Anti-bullying Laws; 49 states have anti-bullying laws Arkansas Act 681 and Act 115 Little Rock School District Comply with state laws Pressure from community and parents Desire to protect their students Sociopolitical & Historical Context

How does the policy relate to the school districts mission? –"The mission of the Little Rock School District is to equip all students with the skills and knowledge to realize their aspirations, think critically and independently, learn continuously, and face the future as productive contributing citizens. This mission is accomplished through open access to a diverse, innovative and challenging curriculum in a secure environment with a staff dedicated to excellence and empowered with the trust and support of our community.“ –Although it is not explicitly mentioned in the mission statement; I know that student safety is a priority for the LRSD. –The policy is consistent with the school district’s mission. Sociopolitical & Historical Context

There are 4 laws in Arkansas that addresses bullying: –§ Anti-bullying Policies (2003) –§ (5) (c) Student Services Programs (2003) –§ Cyberbullying (2011) –§ Safe Schools Initiative Act Act 681 (2003) is the law that prompted the LRSD to establish an anti-bullying policy. –Requires school districts to adopt policies to prevent student harassment and bullying. Policies must define bullying, prohibit bullying on school property, at school-sponsored activities and on school buses and state the consequences of engaging in bullying behavior. Also requires policy to be clearly communicated and adds anti-bullying services to counselors job descriptions. Legal Context

Are there differences between the policy on its face and the policy as implemented? –Administrators, teachers, students are quite familiar with the policy. –The policy clearly defines what acts are considered bullying, however administrators and teachers often have difficulty interpreting bullying. –The consequences for bullying are not always followed according to the policy. Policy Implementation

What have been major strengths and challenges for the district and community in the implementation of the policy? Strengths Written policy Communication Compliance with state laws Challenges Ambiguous nature of bullying Segregation of the schools Policy Implementation

There are differences in how the policy is written and how it is implemented –'I just want them to stop...' A four-year study finds a nightmare of abuse, bullying and sexual harassment for Latino students in some Little Rock schools, with reports of complaints falling on deaf ears. What's going on, and can anything be done to stop it? –Two instances this year, one at a middle school and one at a high school, were teachers felt that they were being bullied by their principals. –“U.S. Dept of Ed investigates LRSD on bullying complaint” A news segment from Fox 16 News that talks about how the LRSD was under an investigation because a LRSD student committed suicide as a result of being bullied. Policy Implementation

Establish School-Based Intervention teams at every school that proactively acts to identify and remedy bullying. These intervention teams will also be in charge of coordinating anti- bullying efforts among staff and students. –Have student peer mediators Offer on-going professional development for teachers where they can be properly trained on how to identify bullying and deal with it appropriately. Recommendations