The school district says that teachers can protect students and address bullying and harassment whenever they see it (they encourage student protection), but that the classroom is not the place for politically charged or religious issues. The policy states that, if such issues arise in schoolwork and must be addressed in the classroom, teachers should remain neutral.
Some activists in the community criticize the district's “neutral policie's,” claiming it prevents teachers from talking about and standing up to sexually oriented harassment. Carlson said, “We are not neutral to the safety of our students.”
The district has recently developed a training program for its teachers to help them recognize gay and lesbian sexual harassment in the classroom and show them how to intervene. Since the beginning of the school year, all 2,700 teachers in the district have been notified about increasing risks concerning sexual orientation bullying, and all secondary teachers have completed the training program.
With more and more bullying stories making headlines, schools—private and public alike—are asking what their roles are in addressing student mental health issues. Bullying is not the same today as it was a decade ago. Now, students have more outlets through which they can reach their target. Bullies are not isolated to the schoolyard anymore—now they’re on the bus, in the hallways, and online. Social media sites are challenging school jurisdictions, and parents have to be more aware of their children’s friends and who are intimidating threats to their safety. It’s a different world, and parents as well as schools must adapt.
Schools are developing creative solutions to bring bullying awareness to parents and students. In the Boston area, Milton Middle School held a rally and information session for parents and students on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. In New Mexico, students are holding a conference to address preventing bullying. And, in Portland Oregon, students gathered outdoors to share their stories with reporters and school officials.
For recent research on cyberbullying statistics, click here.
To read ISM’s recently published article, Bullying Isn't the Only Factor in Teen Suicides click here.
For more information about ISM’s upcoming Webinar addressing sexual misconduct between faculty and students, click here.
