Bullying Prevention

Overview

Bullying is commonly understood as aggressive behavior that:

P – Exists in a relationship in which there is an imbalance of Power and Strength

RRepeated over time

IIntended to cause distress or harm

Bullying may involve physical actions, words, gestures, and social isolation. Although bullying may involve direct, relatively open attacks against a victim, bullying is frequently indirect, or subtle in nature (spreading rumors, enlisting a friend to assault a child). The classic definition of bullying in Utah Schools was expanded by the Utah Legislature. Changes are reflected in the Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules R277-613: Local Education Agency (LEA) Policies and Training Regarding Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Hazing, Retaliation, and Abusive Conduct.

The overall goal of bullying prevention and intervention is to provide every student with a safe and supportive school and social environment. 

Best Practices

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Violence Prevention (DVP), and their study on the links among multiple forms of violence, bullying is associated with additional violent risk factors, such as witnessing violence or substance use. By engaging in work that increases a student's protective factors, students who are at risk of bullying or being bullied decreases.

Violence Prevention
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Violence Prevention (DVP)

Health Foundations and Protective Factors
Utah State Board of Education Teaching and Learning Health Education

Law and Policy

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has one rule that oversees Attendance and Truancy. This rule is governed by three primary statutes.

R277-613: Local Education Agency (LEA) Policies and Training Regarding Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Hazing, Retaliation, and Abusive Conduct.
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules

Statutes:

Internal Audit

Utah State Legislature Utah Code Title 63I-5-201(4): Internal Auditing Programs, State Agencies directs the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to establish an internal audit program. If you would like to report a concern (e.g., misuse of assets, funds, or resources; non-compliance with regulations, policies or rules; fraud, waste, abuse or unethical behavior), please complete the USBE Internal Audit Report a Concern Form.

Model Forms

Parent/Guardian Rights Model Form
Record of Parent Notification of Student Threat or Incident Model Form
Utah State Board of Education Policy, Law and Professional Practices

Model Policies

Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Hazing, and Retaliation Model Policy
Student Suspension/Expulsion Model Policy
XYZ School District Student Discipline Model Policy (including Safe School Policy)
Utah State Board of Education Policy, Law and Professional Practices

Resources

General

Bullying (coming soon)

Bullying
Utah Parent Center (UPC)

Stop Bullying on the Spot
Stop Bullying

President Obama and the First Lady at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention
The White House Blog

Local Education Agencies (LEAs)

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development

Bullying Prevention
Materials: References for the Evidence Base of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Bullying - Rated Programs and Practices

Crime Solutions
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

Stand4Kind

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)

Parents/Guardians

Ability Path

Internet Safety 101
We the Parents

Managing the Effects of Social Media on Teen Girls
Northwestern University

NetSafe Utah

Pacer Center Action Information Sheet - Help Your Child Recognize the Signs of Bullying
Colorado Department of Education

Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center

Parent Guidance

Resources for Parents
Utah Office of the Attorney General

Students

Kids Against Bullying
Teens Against Bullying
Pacer's Centers

SafeUT SealThe SafeUT application provides a way to connect to licensed counselors that are ready to listen to any sized crisis or concern. Support is immediate and confidential, and as easy as reaching for your phone and sending that first message.

 

 

Reports and Statistics

2021 Utah School Climate Survey
Qualtrics

Bullying Prevention Report (coming soon)

Fast Facts: Bullying
National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES)

SHARP Survey (coming soon)

Trainings

Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)

Training PortalThe SafeUT application provides a way to connect to licensed counselors that are ready to listen to any sized crisis or concern. Support is immediate and confidential, and as easy as reaching for your phone and sending that first message.

 

Current Trainings

Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG)
CSTAG training is the foundation to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with the creation and implementation of threat assessment and a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team.

  • Submit training requests through the TRP.

International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
Restorative practices focus on repairing the distressed individual by rebuilding connectedness through collaboration and communication. Student competencies in restorative practices help build character traits and meta-cognitive skills, and form relationships within the school community.

  • Submit training requests through the TRP.

Randy Sprick's Safe and Civil Schools
In the Functional Behavior Assessment of Bullying, William R. Jenson and colleagues have created a comprehensive system that will help you determine the unique contributing factors and functions that are causing bullying behavior.

  • Submit training requests through the TRP.

Stand 4 Kind
Stand 4 Kind has a twofold purpose to create a culture of kindness in schools and to provide every school with the tools to prevent student suicide.  We stand with schools and individuals to spread positivity, inclusion, and value to all. We stand for kindness.

  • Submit training requests through the Stand4Kind website.

Contacts

Amy Steele-Smith
Prevention Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7771 | E-mail

Tina Morandy
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7526 | E-mail