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

R – Repeated over time

I – Intended 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 Rule 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.

Bullying Complaints

At the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive educational environment for all students. We understand the importance of addressing concerns related to bullying incidents promptly and appropriately.

If you have a complaint regarding bullying that has occurred at your school, please be aware that USBE supports Local Education Agencies (LEAs aka charters and districts) in ensuring compliance with statutes and rules concerning their policies. We offer technical assistance as necessary to assist LEAs in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.

However, USBE does not possess the authority to conduct investigations to determine whether a specific incident constitutes bullying, nor can we make determinations regarding disciplinary actions. Our primary focus lies in assessing compliance and, when applicable, providing recommendations for improvements to ensure compliance with statute and rule.

The state of Utah grants LEAs local control over their policies and processes. For concerns outside the scope of USBE, we encourage you to follow your LEA's grievance process or contact your local school board.

If your concern specifically involves compliance with statute and rule, please feel free to reach out to our audit department hotline at (801) 538-7813 or audit@schools.utah.gov

We appreciate your commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful educational environment, and we encourage open communication between schools, parents, and communities to address concerns effectively.

Contact Us

Becca Rae
Prevention Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7667 | E-mail

Millie Mortensen
Support Staff
Phone: (801) 538-7631 | E-mail

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

Reports and Statistics

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

SHARP Survey

School Climate Survey
Utah State Board of Education

Law and Policy

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has one Administrative Rule that oversees Attendance and Truancy; R277-613: Local Education Agency (LEA) Policies and Training Regarding Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Hazing, Retaliation, and Abusive Conduct.

This rule is governed by three primary 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
(External Web Content)Utah Parent Center (UPC)

Stop Bullying on the Spot
(External Web Content)Stop Bullying

President Obama and the First Lady at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention
(External Web Content)The White House Blog

March 10, 2011 White House Summit on Bullying Prevention Conference Materials(External Web Content)

Local Education Agencies (LEAs)

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
Blueprints

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

Bullying - Rated Programs and Practices(External Web Content)

Crime Solutions
(External Web Content)National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

Stand4Kind(External Web Content)

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)(External Web Content)

Parents/Guardians

Ability Path(External Web Content)

Bullying(External Web Content)

Managing the Effects of Social Media on Teen Girls
(External Web Content)Northwestern University, The Family Institute Blog

NetSafe Utah(External Web Content)

Pacer Center Action Information Sheet - Help Your Child Recognize the Signs of Bullying
(External Web Content)Colorado Department of Education

Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center(External Web Content)

What Parents Should Know About Bullying: Definition, Impact and Roles(External Web Content)

Parent Guidance(External Web Content)

Resources for Parents
(External Web Content)Utah Office of the Attorney General

Students

Kids Against Bullying

(External Web Content)Teens Against Bullying
(External Web Content)

The 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.

Professional Learning

Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)

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.