Download Preventing Bullying in Elementary and Middle

Bullying
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Physical, verbal, or psychological
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Intended harm
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Imbalance of power
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Repeated over time
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An Issue of Equity
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The IMBALANCE OF POWER involved
in bullying creates an academic, social,
and emotional ACHIEVEMENT GAP
Consequences for Victims
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Academic difficulties
Depression
Anxiety
Loneliness
Low self-esteem
Humiliation
Difficulty with
relationships
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Psycho-somatic problems
Schizophrenia
Fear of attending school
Peer rejection
Suicidal ideation
Delinquent behavior
Criminality
Violence
The U.S. Secret Service
reports that 71% of students
who have committed sieges
on schools felt bullied
Consequences for Bullies
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Failing to learn social behavioral norms
Substance abuse
Depression
Psychiatric disorders
Vandalism
Shoplifting
Fighting
Dropout
Suicidal ideation
Consequences for Bystanders
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Psychological consequences
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Physiological consequences
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Fear of becoming the victim
Two Paths of Prevention
 Social
Emotional
Learning
Programs (SEL)
 Bullying
Prevention
Programs (BPP)
Effective SELs:
Focus on the whole school and community
 Long-term
 Educate students on:

 Self-regulation
 Perspective taking/empathy
 Emotion management
 Problem solving
 Communication skills
 Friendship skills
SEL SPOTLIGHT:
SECOND STEP
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Empathy, problem-solving, anger
management
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A staff person is chosen to be “on-site
trainer” for all other staff
SECOND STEP: Methods
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Teacher/counselor techniques:
 Model behavior
 Cue, coach, reinforce
 Allow students to participate in decision making
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Classroom lessons:
 Discuss emotional scenarios
 Model scenarios
 Role play and presentations
Effectiveness
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Reduces conduct problems
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Improves social emotional skills
Effectiveness
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A Washington state study found that
 Physical aggression decreased
 Verbal hostility decreased
 Prosocial behavior increased
 Neutral behavior increased
Effective BPPs
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Focus on whole school and community
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Structured curriculum
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Teach and encourage practice of new skills
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Clear policies and procedures
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Incorporate SEL techniques
Effective BPPs
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Train staff on:
 Psychology of bullying
 Delivery
 Reporting
 Working one-on-one with bullies and victims

Classroom curriculum:
 Definition of bullying
 Clear rules and consequences
 Communication skills
 Bystander responsibilities
 Reporting
BPP SPOTLIGHT
THE OLWEUS BULLYING PREVENTION
PROGRAM
School, classroom and individual levels
Bully/victim questionnaire
Coordinating Committee & onsite coordinator
Staff training
Development of school rules
Playground and lunchroom supervision plans
Classroom lessons
Parent meetings
individual meetings with bullies, victims, and
parents
 Evaluation through questionnaire
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Effectiveness
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In Norway, bullying decreased by 50.9%
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U.S. findings have not been consistent
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Bullying incident density has been found
to decrease with strict implementation
Olweus Results in Norway
What can School Counselors do?
DATA COLLECTION:

Collect and interpret data to display
need and secure funding
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Collect and interpret school data to help
choose a program
What can School Counselors do?
COLLABORATION:
Assume role of on-site coordinator/trainer
 Train teachers and staff
 Educate staff on consequences of bullying
 Form and head committee
 Collaborate
 Train volunteers to monitor
lunchroom/playground
 Train parents
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What can School Counselors do?
CLASSROOM LEVEL:
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Include students in creating rules and
consequences
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Classroom guidance lessons
What can School Counselors do?
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL:
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Counsel students
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Model desired behavior in daily interactions
What can School Counselors do?
EVALUATION:
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Monitor consistency of staff
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Encourage fidelity among staff
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Collect and interpret data to evaluate
interventions
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Share successes with stakeholders
Implications for the Profession
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Stakeholders see the impact made by the
school counselor by looking at school data
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As head of the committee, the school
counselor is an indispensable resource
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Committee meetings give opportunities to
network with parents, teachers, and
administrators
References
Bauman, S. (2008). The role of elementary school counselors in reducing school bullying.
school journal, 108(5), 362-375. Retrieved from http://
Elementary
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Black, S., & Jackson, E. (2007). Using bullying incident density to evaluate the Olweus Bullying
Prevention programme. School psychology international, 28, 623-638. doi:
10.1177/0143034307085662
Black, S., Harner, P., Pollock, E., Trent, V., & Washington, E. (2010). Translating the Olweus
Prevention Program into real-world practice. Health promotion practice, 11,
Bullying
733-740. doi:
10.1177/1524839908321562
Bowllan, N. M. (2011). Implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, school-wide
prevention program in an urban/suburban middle school. Journal of School
doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00576.x
bullying
Health, 81, 167-173.
Collier, A., Doces, M., Jones, L., & Swearer, S. (2012).
Implementing bullying prevention programs in schools: a how-to guide.
Informally published manuscript, Berkman Center for Internet & Society,
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, Retrieved from http://
cyber.law.harvard.edu/publications/2012/
kbw_implementing_bullying_prevention_programs_in_schools
Fan, M., Glew, G. M., Katon, W., Kernic, M. A., & Rivara, F. P. (2005). Bullying, psychosocial
adjustment, and academic performance in elementary school. Archives of pediatric and
adolescent medicine, 159, 1026-1031. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.159.11.1026
Farrington, D. P., & Ttofi, M. M. (2011). Effectiveness of school-based programs to reduce
bullying: a systematic and meta-analytic review. Journal of experimental criminology, 7,
27-56. doi: 10.1007/s11292-010-9109-1
Farrington, D. P., & Ttofi, M. M. The Campbell collaboration crime and
justice group, (2010). School-based programs to reduce bullying and
victimization (2007-IJ-CX-0045). Retrieved from website: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/
nij/grants/229377.pdf
Frey, K. S., Guzzo, B. A., & Hirschstein, M. K. (2000). Second step: preventing aggression
by promoting social competence. Journal of emotional and behavioral disorders, 8
(102), doi: 10.1177/106342660000800206
Olweus, D., & Limber, S. P. (2010). Bullying in school: evaluation and dissemination of the
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 80, 124-134.
doi: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01015.x
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: a proven school-based program to reduce
bullying. (2005). Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter. Retrieved from
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vid=6&hid=108&sid=17266aba-7a46-4eb3-a5e2-562c438a8d0e%40sessionmgr113