School’s Responsibility to Stop Bullying

            Innocent children can no longer hide from school bullies. At school or off campus, many children are becoming victims of bullying. The violent acts teenagers display towards their peers are becoming more sadistic and cruel. Due to the rise of bullying schools must take a stance against this behavior. Leaders in education have the responsibility to stop bullying through enforcing policies, providing education, and supporting victims.

            An organization is only as strong as the foundation which supports it. Setting policies and procedures for educators to utilize are essential because they allow issues to be resolved fairly. These guiding principles are seen as the backbone within organizations because they provide core structure and guidelines for responding to situations.  If policies are not followed correctly it can be damaging to victims and the school itself. In 2010, a Michigan school district experienced this when they were ordered to pay $800,000 to a student who they failed to protect from bullying for many years (Myers & Roskamp & CaCaw, 2010, p 4).  The school’s efforts to help this student were explained as, “…repetitious, insufficient, and ineffective…” (Meyers, 2010, p. 4). Here, the school failed to follow their anti-bullying policies which had lasting effects on the victim and the school. To stop bullying schools must not only establish anti-bullying policies but they have to enforce them.

            Implementing anti-bullying policies are equally important as educating school staff and students on these issues (Glasner, 2010, p. 540). Using education as a tool to bring awareness about bullying is crucial. Schools have the responsibility to help stop bullying by formulating educational and awareness programs into their curriculum. Teachers also need to stay educated. As more students resort to using electronic devices to harass classmates, educators also have the responsibility to keep up with technology advancements (Glasner, 2010, p. 540). Teachers and students should be educated on these behaviors so they understand what it is and how to handle it. 

            Additional efforts to fight against bullying include offering support to victims and their families. When a child is being harassed they may be fearful and see no escape if they have to experience this behavior alone. It is important for administrators to take action for every complaint of bullying and to provide supportive assistance to families. According to Brenchley (2012), “A safe and supportive school climate can be one of the best tools in preventing bullying.” School should be a safe place where students can go to learn without being fearful of their classmates. Creating a healthy learning space for children will allow them to feel comfortable and keep them feeling safer at school.

            All in all, policy verse practice is a common issue seen throughout educational systems. If anti-bullying policies are created without being applied, the system has failed. As peer-on-peer harassment inflates, more critical resolutions must be uncovered. If schools are not supporting students who are bullied, situations can grow out of control. Bullying is critical issue and to help minimize it school administrators, students, and their families must come together.

                                                           

                                                          References:

Glasner, A. (2010). On the Front Lines: Educating Teachers about Bullying and Prevention Methods. Journal of Social Sciences, 6: 537-541. Retrieved from http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=marc_pubs

Myers, J, & Roskamp, T, & CcCaw, D, (2010). Cyber Bullying: What’s an Administrator to Do? Literature Review. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/Resource_library/proceedings/30360_10.pdf

Brenchley, C. (April 13, 2012). Top 5 Ways Educators Can Stop Bullies. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/04/top-5-ways-educators-can-stop-bullies/.