Welcome! Linking PBIS to Bullying Prevention

Amy Walker Client Outreach Representative , ext

Brian Smith, PhD Research Scientist , ext.6322

Bullying: How serious is the problem? Today there are 56 million students in the US (grades K-12) Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: % or 5.6 million school children are the targets of chronic bullying

National Education Association 90% of students felt bullying caused social, emotional or academic problems for those bullied In 67% of the 37 cases of school shootings, a U.S. Secret Service study showed the attacker felt bullied or threatened by others

What is bullying? “Give me your lunch money” Different types of students bully Different reasons students bully Bully-Victims Bullying as a social phenomenon –Status –Popularity –Who’s in and out?

Committee for Children Definition of Bullying Bullying is and Bullying is unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.

What does bullying look like? Intent to harm Imbalance of power Includes: –physical aggression –verbal aggression –malicious rumors or gossip –social exclusion –threats of harm or exclusion

Relational Aggression Rumors Intimidation Humiliation Exclusion Teasing Cyber bullying Manipulation

Bullying vs. Normal Peer Conflict Bullying involves a power imbalanceBullying involves a power imbalance Bullying is one-sidedBullying is one-sided Students cannot make bullying stop or choose to not participateStudents cannot make bullying stop or choose to not participate

In “rough and tumble” play… Children are free to participate.Children are free to participate. Children are likely to alternate roles.Children are likely to alternate roles. Children tend to stay together after play.Children tend to stay together after play.

What types of bullying behavior do you see in your school?

Social Ecological Model I ndividual Peer School

What Schools Can Do INDIVIDUAL LEVEL Increase awareness Support/coach Teach assertiveness Increase social connections- teach social skills

What Schools Can Do PEER LEVEL Change the social context for bullying Reduce peer reinforcement and social rewards –Positive attention –Status –Popularity

What Schools Can Do PEER LEVEL Positive bystander behaviors Ignore Walk away Don’t laugh or encourage Support bullied student Report Intervene

What Schools Can Do SCHOOL LEVEL Make clear rules and expectations Increase supervision Coach students individually

What Schools Can Do What is your school doing about bullying?

Phase 1: Establishing the Schoolwide Framework Create a steering teamCreate a steering team Conduct surveysConduct surveys Develop policies and proceduresDevelop policies and procedures Assess school environmentAssess school environment Plan for curriculum implementationPlan for curriculum implementation

School-Wide Component Train staff –Train all adults to respond to reports of bullying –Train teachers who will teach lessons –Train staff who will coach students Improve school safety –Remove visual obstructions and secure unsupervised areas –Reward safe, friendly playground behavior –Provide adequate, trained adult supervision –Arrange for supervision before/after school

School-Wide Component Train staff –Train all adults to respond to reports of bullying –Train teachers who will teach lessons –Train staff who will coach students Improve school safety –Remove visual obstructions and secure unsupervised areas –Reward safe, friendly playground behavior –Provide adequate, trained adult supervision –Arrange for supervision before/after school

Classroom Component Teach the skills children need How to recognize, refuse and report bullying –What bullying is and is not –How to know when refusing bullying is SAFE –Who to report bullying to; Who will follow up Assertiveness skills –Stand tall –Head up –Calm, clear voice –Look at the person you’re talking to

What Can Adults Do? Gather information about the prevalence of bullying. Establish clear schoolwide rules. Establish clear and consistent procedures. Train all adults to respond sensitively and consistently. Provide adequate supervision. Improve parental awareness.

1.Affirm the child’s feelings 2.Ask questions 3.Assess the child’s safety 4.Act - coach the child The Four-A Response Process

Coaching

Coaching the child who is bullied 1. Affirm the child’s feelings 2. Ask questions 3. Identify what has and has not worked in the past 4. Generate solutions for the future 5. Follow-up

Coaching the child who bullies 1. Identify the problem 2. Discuss the bullying report while keeping identity of reporter confidential “I’ve heard that you’ve been pushing other students in the bathroom…” 3. Ask questions and gather information 4. Apply consequences 5. Generate solutions for the future 6. Follow-up

CASEL has reviewed Social Emotional Learning Programs The best ones : –Are based on research –Have evidence of effectiveness –Are developmentally and culturally appropriate –Are interactive –Include practice of skills –Have lessons for each grade level

Intervention Results: School Staff Increased School Anti-Bullying Policies and Strategies Increased Student Bullying Intervention Increased Student Climate Increased Staff Climate Decreased School Bullying-Related Problems

Intervention Results: Teachers Increased Social Competency Decreased Physical Bullying Perpetration

Intervention Results: Students Increased: Teacher/Staff Bullying Prevention Increased Student Bullying Intervention Teacher/Staff Bullying Intervention Positive Bystander Behavior Student Climate

The Steps to Respect Program Phase I: Schoolwide Framework for Bullying Prevention Phase II: Training Staff and Parents Classroom Curriculum Phase III:Classroom Curriculum

Opportunities and Challenges

Committee for Children Client Support Services Department ext. 200

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ~Aristotle