State policy alone won’t stop bullying

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Every state except South Dakota has anti-bullying and anti-harassment laws that schools are required to observe. In Iowa, the law covers school property and wherever a school-sponsored activity or function is conducted.

Yet, too often, bullying still happens. Nearly 8,500 incidents among Iowa's 507,000 public and private-school students were reported to state officials during the 2009-10 school year. Those officials also admit the reporting system doesn't accurately reflect what's happening. And recent tragic cases involving gay students in other states have focused more national attention on the issue.

Some critics want Iowa to shore up its rules, make them less vague and give schools more tools and resources to educate students about bullying.

We're not convinced that changing state policies or regulations are the fix-all for these problems. Instead, this is largely a local problem that requires local solutions and engagement to be highly effective.

Each district's parents, children, teachers and school administrators, working together, can create an environment where bullying and harassment is clearly defined and communicated, and incidents are promptly resolved. Good behavior is reinforced. Bad behavior has consequences. Discretion is in play - not every student scuffle or outburst falls into the bullying category.

The state's current policy provides a framework for schools and its clarity could be improved. But it's the local districts and the people they serve thato must be the problem solvers.

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City school districts have curriculums that promote positive behavior, as well as anti-bullying programs that aim to build responsibility and citizenship.

For example, Garfield Elementary School staff and students in Cedar Rapids recently held a “Five Minute Dance Party” to celebrate success in promoting and developing positive behavior. “ ... we have been concentrating on being responsible, respectful, and safe this fall,” said Garfield Principal Joy Long on the district's website. “We have taught lessons in what that looks like in the classroom as well as in the common areas of the school such as the cafeteria, playground, restrooms and hallways.”

When students were “caught” in respectful, responsible, or safe behaviors, they received a ticket. Once a fish tank was filled with the tickets, the students were rewarded with the brief dance party - their idea. Since the party, students have been working to refill the tank.

Such positive-behavior reinforcement is useful - as long as schools also promptly discipline those students who bully others anyway. Parents rightly have high expectations that their children will be safe in schools and their concerns addressed appropriately. They also shouldn't expect schools to accomplish this without their support.