Bullying at school : what we know and what we can do

Description

Presents an overview of what is known about the causes and consequences of bullying at school, describes an intervention program designed to address and counteract the problem, discusses the positive effects of the program as evaluated over a two-year period in forty-two schools in Bergen, Norway, and offers practical advice on implementing the intervention program. Pt. I. What We Know About Bullying. Stories from the Press. What is Meant by Bullying? Some Information About the Recent Studies. One Student out of Seven. Bully/Victim Problems in Different Grades. Have Bully/Victim Problems Increased? Bullying Among Boys and Girls. How Much Do the Teachers Do? How Much Do the Parents Know? Bullying at School and on the Way to and from School. Comparison between Norway and Sweden. Is Bullying Primarily a Big-City Problem? The Size of the School and the Class. Supervision during Recess and Lunch Time. On Analyses at Different Levels. Stability of Bully/Victim Problems over Time. Is Bullying a Consequence of Competition at School? What Role do External Deviations Play? What Characterizes the Typical Victims? What Characterizes the Typical Bullies? Physical Weakness and Strength. A Concrete Picture. What Kind of Rearing Conditions Create Aggressive Children? Group Mechanisms. Other Factors. A Wider Perspective on Bully/Victim Problems. A Question of Fundamental Democratic Rights. Portrait Sketches of Henry and Roger, a Victim and a Bully. Guide for the Identification of Possible Victims and Bullies. Being a Victim --Possible Signs. Being a Bully --Possible Signs --Pt. II. What We Can Do About Bullying. Overview of Intervention Program. Goals. Awareness and Involvement. Measures at the School Level. A School Conference Day. Supervision and Outdoor Environment. Contact Telephone. A General PTA Meeting. Teacher Groups for the Development of the Social Milieu of the School. Study Groups in Parent-Teacher Associations (Parent Circles). Measures at the Class Level. Class Rules about Bullying. Praise. Sanctions. Class Meetings. Cooperative Learning. Common Positive Activities. Class PTA Meetings. Measures at the Individual Level. Serious Talks with the Bully. Talks with the Victim. Talks with the Parents. What Can the Parents of the Bully Do? What Can the Parents of the Victim Do? Use of Imagination. Discussion Groups for Parents of Bullied or Bullying Students. Change of Class or School --Pt. III. Effects of the Intervention Program. Main Findings. Brief Comments. Basic Principles. Additional Characteristics --Pt. IV. Additional Practical Advice and a Core Program. Support from the Principal and Formation of a Coordinating Group. Awareness and Involvement. Adequate Supervision During Recess and Lunch Time. Class Rules and Class Meetings. Talks with Involved Students and Their Parents. Overview of Core Program. Final words.