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ANTI-BULLYING PRACTICES IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS: PERSPECTIVES OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS. By Yipling C. Sherer and Amanda B. Nickerson A review by Tommy Coleman and Sherry Saunders. Bullying.
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ANTI-BULLYING PRACTICES IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS: PERSPECTIVES OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS By Yipling C. Sherer and Amanda B. Nickerson A review by Tommy Coleman and Sherry Saunders
Bullying • “… a specific form of aggressive behavior that is characterized by an intention to harm, repeated occurrence, and an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim.” • Two types -Aggressive -Indirect
Prevention Strategies • System-level interventions • School staff and parents • Education approaches with students • Student involvement • Interventions with bullies and victims
Leadership Frames Structural -schedules, increasing supervision Human Resources -training, teaming Political -legal topic, public concern Symbolic -climate/culture, public image
Questions Addressed • What anti-bullying strategies are most/least frequently implemented? • What anti-bullying strategies do school psychologists perceive as most or least effective? • What areas do school psychologists perceive as most in need of improvement? • What barriers make improvement difficult?
The Study • 213 school psychologists were surveyed about their school’s anti-bullying strategies. • 43 anti-bullying strategies were included. • Respondents reported on the use of strategies and their opinion of effectiveness. • Similar strategies were grouped into 20 reporting areas.
Findings Most frequently used strategies -School staff talk with bullies following incident -Disciplinary consequences -Increase supervision in less structured areas Least frequently used strategies -Peer juries to “try” bullies -Anti-bullying committee -Student peer counseling for victims
Findings Continued-Perceived Most Effective Strategies-School-wide positive behavior support plan-Modified space and schedule for less structured activities-Immediate response to bullying incident-Perceived Least Effective-Avoid contact between bullies and victims-Zero tolerance policy for bullies-Written anti-bullying policy
Strategies Most in Need of Improvement • Staff education and training • Bullying reporting procedure • School-wide positive behavior support plan
Barriers-Priorities focused on other issues-Underestimation of the severity of bullying problems-Lack of trained staff-Quality of available training material
Rigor of the Article • The sample was random but small. • The results were consistent with other studies noted in the article. • 65% of the sample worked in elementary schools. • Responses were based on perception. • Some respondents endorsed strategies not present in their schools.
Type of Policy • Bullying policy is largely regulatory: -Involves rules to govern behavior -Typically are generalized terms applied to large groups -Can imply enforced penalties -Can include licensing requirements
Useful Strategies for Policy Support-Schedule Meetings with Parents-School-Wide Intervention Policy-Increased Supervision-School Assemblies-Teacher In-Service Training-Classroom Interventions-Develop Teaching Modules
Benefits of the Policy • Incidences of bullying are reduced • Students improve interpersonal relationship skills • School safety is enhanced • Positive community perception
Unintended Consequences -Over reporting -False reporting -Time consuming -Personnel requirements -Resistance
Implications for School Leaders • Examine present practices • Measure effectiveness • Research • Build support • Implement changes • Re-evaluate
Sources • Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. G (2003). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. San Francisco:Jossey-Bass. • Sherer, Y. C., & Nickerson, A. B. (2010). Anti- bullying practices in American schools: Perspectives of school psychologists. Psychology In The Schools, 47(3), 217-229. • http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/cid48/Gente-y-Blogs/99156/Extremely-Powerful-Anti-Bullying-Video/