What can schools do to control bullying in the school system?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The answer should include the following points:
• Early intervention. Researchers advocate intervening in elementary or middle school or even as early as preschool. Social skills training is highly recommended, as are counseling and systematic aggression interventions for students demonstrating bullying and victim behaviors.
• Parent training. Parents must learn to reinforce their children's positive behavior patterns and must demonstrate appropriate interpersonal interactions.
• Teacher training. Training can help teachers identify and respond to potentially damaging victimization as well as implement positive feedback and modeling to address inappropriate social interactions. Support services personnel who work with administrators can be helpful in designing effective teacher training modules.
• Attitude change. Researchers maintain that society must stop defending bullying behavior as part of growing up or by assuming the attitude that "kids will be kids." School personnel should never ignore bullying behaviors.
• Positive school environment. Schools with easily understood rules of conduct, smaller class sizes, and fair discipline practices report less violence and bullying behaviors.