District Administration

Educators, school safety experts and anti-bullying advocates typically agree that bullying is a serious issue. They also agree that anti-bullying strategies should be an integral component of a school’s safety plan. However, differences remain in how bullying should be addressed. Those differences have become magnified as bullying has become an increasingly politicized issue. Mix in media hysteria on bullying and teen suicide issues, and educators find their genuine efforts to address bullying challenged by distorted public perceptions and politically driven, overreaching and overly prescriptive outside mandates on bullying issues.

Practical Strategies for Managing Bullying

Discipline policies, student conduct codes, and school climate strategies have long been in place in most schools to prevent bullying incidents. School leaders can refine their approach more effectively by taking a comprehensive leadership approach versus simply creating a new policy or implementing a new bullying prevention plan. Practical steps for managing bullying under highly political and parent-intense climates include:

1. Understanding the politics. Most educators and parents are blind to the behind-the-scenes politics of bullying. Recognizing that there are more agendas in play than simply bullying itself is critical.

2. Evaluating discipline policies and school climate strategies. Are current discipline policies adequate to address bullying behaviors? Is your district complying ...

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Kenneth S. Trump is president of National School Safety and Security Services. He blogs on school safety issues at www.schoolsecurityblog.com.