Bullying in Washington Schools: Update 2008 By: SESRC – Puget Sound Division Kyra Kester Candiya Mann September 2008 Bullying in Washington Schools: Update 2008 Kyra Kester Candiya Mann September 1, 2008 Social & Economic Sciences Research Center-Puget Sound Division 203 E. 4th Avenue, Suite 521 P.O. Box 43170 Olympia, WA 98504-3170 (360) 586-9292 Fax: (360) 586-2279 About SESRC The Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) at Washington State University is a recognized leader in the development and conduct of survey research. SESRC-Puget Sound Division provides technical services and consultation to assist clients in acquiring data, understanding what data means, and applying that information to solving problems. The SESRC Puget Sound Division specializes in research design, data collection and analysis, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The Division also provides interpretive reports, policy studies, presentations and consulting services directly to individual clients, organizations and consortia. Acknowledgements The authors extend thanks to the various organizations and individuals concerned about bullying in Washington schools who assisted with the preparation of this report. Chief among them are Jeff Söder, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the constituent advisory group for the project; Beth Reis, Safe Schools Coalition, and the Coalition work groups with whom I met; Bob McMullen and Jerry Bender, Association of Washington School Principals and the many district staff who accommodated interviews and questions along the way; and Adie Simmons, Director, Office of the Education Ombudsman. Bullying in Washington Schools: Update 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary....................................................................................................................... i Findings ....................................................................................................................................... i Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... ii For Schools: ............................................................................................................................ ii For the State:..........................................................................................................................iii Section One: About Bullying....................................................................................................... 1 What is Bullying?........................................................................................................................ 1 Does It Really Matter?................................................................................................................ 2 Issues........................................................................................................................................... 3 Potential for Violence ............................................................................................................. 3 Bullying and Suicide............................................................................................................... 4 Bullying and Learning ............................................................................................................ 5 Characteristics............................................................................................................................ 5 Who Bullies?........................................................................................................................... 5 The Bully-Victim.................................................................................................................... 7 What Does Bullying Usually Look Like?............................................................................... 8 Who is Bullied?....................................................................................................................... 9 The Role of Gender and Sexual Identity............................................................................... 10 Disability............................................................................................................................... 12 Race....................................................................................................................................... 12 Rural Youth........................................................................................................................... 13 How Often Does Bullying Happen? ..................................................................................... 13 Cyberbullying: How It’s Special and How It’s Not............................................................. 15 The Young are Bullied Most................................................................................................. 16 Adult Awareness................................................................................................................... 16 Adult -- And School -- Responsibility.................................................................................. 18 Role of Peers......................................................................................................................... 18 Findings .................................................................................................................................... 19 Section Two: Current State Policy ........................................................................................... 20 Background............................................................................................................................... 20 The Legislation.......................................................................................................................... 20 The Immediate Response........................................................................................................... 21 Subsequent Evidence: Meeting the Legal Requirement........................................................... 21 Subsequent Evidence: Not Meeting the Intent ......................................................................... 21 Establishing More Explicit Expectations.................................................................................. 22 Findings .................................................................................................................................... 23 Bullying in Washington Schools: Update 2008 Section Three: No Improvement in the Safety and Civility of Schools’ Climate and Environment................................................................................................................................24 SESRC Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 24 Healthy Youth Survey 2006: Background........................................................................... 25 Bullying All Grades 2002 – 2006 ......................................................................................... 28 Gender................................................................................................................................... 29 Differences by Basis for the Bullying................................................................................... 31 By Basis, Gender and Grade................................................................................................. 32 Reports of Bullying by Region .................................................................................................. 34 Findings .................................................................................................................................... 35 Section Four: Other Efforts ...................................................................................................... 36 State-level.................................................................................................................................. 36 Education Ombudsman......................................................................................................... 36 Other Ombudsmen................................................................................................................ 37 School Safety Center............................................................................................................. 37 A School Improvement Issue................................................................................................ 38 Partner Agencies and Organizations........................................................................................ 38 Healthy Youth Survey Partners ............................................................................................ 38 Washington State Human Rights Commission..................................................................... 38 Safe Schools Coalition.......................................................................................................... 39 Findings .................................................................................................................................... 39 Section Five: What to do About Bullying ................................................................................ 40 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 40 Olweus Bullying Prevention