Carrie Connolly Pat Crane Gail Moskowitz Candy Weems EDLP 704- Spring 2014

Introduction Scherer, Y., & Nickerson, A. (2010). Anti-bullying practices in American schools: Perspectives of school psychologists. Psychology in the Schools, 47(3) What is bullying?

Article Summary The study focused on bullying prevention strategies in five categories: – Systems-level interventions – School staff and parent involvement – Educational approaches with students – Student involvement – Interventions with bullies and victims

Research – Most/least implemented – Perceived as most/least effective – Needs improvement – Barriers to improvement

Research Results Most frequently used strategies – Talking with bullies after bullying incidents – Disciplinary consequences for bullies – Increased adult supervision peer juries/court Least frequently used – Anti-bullying committee – Peer counselors

Research Results Perceived most effective – School-wide positive behavior support plan – Modifying space and schedule – Immediate responses Perceived least effective – Avoid contact between bully and victim – Zero tolerance – Written anti-bullying policy

What type of policy? School-wide positive behavior support plan – Regulatory policy Modified space and schedule for less structured activities – Redistributive policy Immediate responses to bullying incidents – Regulatory policy

Strategies Used to Promote Policy Target multiple stakeholders Research studies on effectiveness Public Forums Articles in local paper/ school newsletter Direct mailings Use of social media

Benefits Create a welcoming safe environment Several strategies Training fosters consistency Raise awareness, changes attitudes and educate

Disadvantages Subjectivity? Zero tolerance Peer mediations Parent involvement

Challenges Buy in from the staff Need additional staffing Survey results Barriers – time and priorities

Improving Anti-bullying Policy Areas of improvement indicated by survey results – Staff training – Community involvement – Reporting structure for bullying policies

Application to Workplace and Leadership Need to consider all stakeholders – Staff involvement – Parent involvement Communication strategies for policy implementation – How to communicate policy with students – Time constraints