Bullying: In the Classroom Lisa Brizendine Northwest Christian University

O "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying" means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A (3), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act: O (a) Physically harms a student or damages the student's property; or O (b) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or O (c) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or O (d) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. O Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying. RCW 28A “Bullying” as defined by the Revised Code of Washington is as follows:

United States Statistics “This year, over 13 MILLION American Kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people face in this country” (“Nationwide Bullying Statistics”, 2013). 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally, and physically, cyber bullying statistics are rapidly approaching similar numbers (“Bullying Facts”, 2013).

Bullying is not an issue experienced only in the schools of the United States, but is experienced throughout the world; International research suggests that bullying is most frequent in elementary school, but occurs commonly throughout all grade levels (Sampson, 2002). Bullying Happens Throughout The World

Historical Elements: How Far Back Does It Go? “Bullying is not [just] a contemporary problem, but has always been a part of life” (Hyojin, 2007). Historically bullying was often simply considered “a harmless rite of passage, a normal, unavoidable part of growing up” (Carpenter & Ferguson, 2009).

History of Bullying  The first significant journal article expressing concern in regards to bullying was in 1897, written by Burk (Koo, 2007)  Characteristics of bullying have been a common occurrence in literature, with one of the most memorable likely being Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist which was published in 1838  The first report of bullying 1862-John Flood  First Characterizing of Bullying  First Major Research  First Proposition Anti-Bullying Law  Book on Classroom Bullying  First

Bullying: Most Frequent During Times of Lower Adult Supervision Cafeteria Playground Bus Hallways & Stairwells

Types of Bullying Verbal Bullying Physical Bullying Cyber Bullying Mental Bullying

Effects of Bullying O Effects on “ Bullies ” O Effects on “ Bullied ”

Anti-Bullying Legislation For Safer Schools August 2010 Substitute House Bill 2801 enacted December 2010 OSPI Created Model Policy & Procedures August 2011 Districts required to adopt or amend their policy & procedures.

The issue of bullying is not something we can stand idly by and ignore. Teachers, administration, volunteers, and those who frequent the school grounds must all play an active role in ensuring bullying is no longer an issue. Bullying remains an issue in our schools and we must remain proactive as we work towards ensuring the safest environment possible for each of our students.

References BULLYING “Nationwide Bully Statistics” (2013). Nationwide bully statistics. Retrieved from ?adCell=W3