Yesterday in Washington Education Arne Duncan kicked off a bullying summit that seeks ways to address the issue bullying in schools. Hosted by the US Department of Education, researchers, educators, and kids gathered to craft strategies and discuss possible solutions to the problem. "So many bullies were themselves bullied, this is a learned behavior, and we have to get to young children early and give them the role models, the mentors, the skills, the strategies, to behave in different ways," says Duncan.
In the wake of recent bullying-related suicides, including that of Phoebe Prince, the Massachusettes teen who took her life last spring, school districts, states, and the federal government are responding. To date 43 states have enacted anti-bullying legislation.
Secretary Duncan spoke to the impact of bullying on school culture and student performance. “A school where children don’t feel safe is a school where children struggle to learn. It is a school where kids drop out, tune out, and get depressed.”
It’s time for all schools and families to address this issue. What do you think can be done to eliminate bullying? Post your comments here.
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