Preventing Bullying
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The Department of Justice has issued a report about bullying in schools. It is part of the COPS series, so is geared toward school resource officers, but has some good information for administrators as well. Some of the research that it cites suggests that a principal's involvement in addressing the problem contributes to fewer incidents. It also recommends such common-sense strategies as increasing supervision in "hot spot" areas, and perhaps even redesigning the environment.
I disagree with one strategy, which is "developing a comprehensive reporting system to track bullying and the interventions used with specific bullies and victims." It is a good idea in theory, but, if not done effectively, will just provide ammunition for an opposing attorney in a lawsuit. Like any school policy, do not create the policy unless you are going to follow and enforce it. The only thing worse than no policy is a well-written policy that no one follows.
