Dive Brief:

• A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine labels school bullying a "serious public health issue."
• Dr. Frederick Rivara, chairman of the committee that produced the report, said that one-third of U.S. students are bullied. 
• The impacts of bullying aren't just physical or psychological — they can also have a longterm negative impact on learning and academic performance and can cause depression, anxiety and alcohol and drug abuse.

Dive Insight:

Research has been divided over whether or not bullying has actually gotten worse in U.S. classrooms. In May 2015, the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics reported that bullying among students aged 12-18 dropped to 22% in 2013. According to their data, between 2005 and 2015, bullying rates hovered between 28% and 32%. That could indicate that federal, state and local anti-bullying efforts could be making a difference. 

Having an established protocol can definitely help. In July 2015, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network produced a study that found while every single U.S. state now has anti-bullying laws on the books, only 18 prohibited specific behaviors. That's often a key part of effective policies. Less than 20% of districts require anti-bullying training for teachers. Bullying plans need to include clear methodology related to collecting and investigating reports of harassment, and descriptions of punishments and consequences. Such protocols need to be distributed to school staff, district administrators, the community, and students alike.

Cyberbullying also demands attention. Some 50% of students nationwide report being cyber harassed and a third said they had been threatened, and some states, like Pennsylvania, have been proactive. There, a state law categorizes cyberbullying as a misdemeanor. It's punishable with fines up to $2,500 and even holds the potential for jail time. California, too, is testing a pilot aimed at reducing cyberbullying. 

Evelyn Rowe-Cosentino, a licensed social worker and school counselor at New York City's York Prep School, previously shared tips for districts grappling with bullying with Education Dive. 

Recommended Reading

CNN: Bullying is a 'serious public health problem,' report says