SAFE SCHOOL STRATEGIES, POLICY AND PRACTICE SCHOOL BULLY LAWS Lynne Edmondson, Alabama A&M University Laura Dreuth Zeman, Southern Illinois Unviersity
LOOK AT BULLYING PREVENTION WITH FRESH EYES: OLWEUS BULLYING PREVENTION CONSTRUCTS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS LEVELS OF PREVENTION. THIS FIGURE IS THE ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION OF STATE POLICIES.
ANSWER THE QUESTION: Does your school address bullying and if so, how extensively have they incorporated language representing the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention?
SCHOOL-WIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
INTERVENTIONS FACILITATE BETTER PEER RELATIONS
COUNSELING THAT INVOLVES BULLIES AND VICTIMS
THIS IS WHAT OUR SCHOOL HAS
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF LAWS SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO DIRECT POLICY TO PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND TERTIARY LEVELS? The answer came from the programming model itself, with an overall goal of increased positive peer relationships. Primary prevention is awareness education for all students, faculty, staff, and administration. Individual’s identified to be in the at-risk population, bullies and victims who did not fully respond to primary prevention, are in need of more intensive secondary intervention. The few students who have a health break down because they fail to be successful at the previous levels get the most intensive care, tertiary intervention, including individual and family counseling.
THIS IS WHERE WE WANT OUR SCHOOL TO BE
ANSWER THE QUESTION: Among states that legally mandate public schools to address bullying, how extensively have they incorporated language representing the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of preventionl? Review your state policy
RESEARCHERS RECOMMEND The researchers recommend states advance beyond what exists 65/21/65 to incorporate best practices. Incorporation into policy is the only way to legally assure constituents that all the important elements of a program will be implemented. The health educator can establish a consultative relationship with their respective state policy makers. State professional organizations can be a vehicle for this lobbying relationship, which aims to influence policy to promote health.