Bullying
Bullying
The Maine Children's Alliance supports efforts to prevent bullying in schools.
In 2011, two bills were introduced in the Maine State Legislature that proposed more stringent anti-bullying regulations and enforcement. One of the bills specifically focused on cyber-bullying and all forms of utilizing new media to harrass other students.
MCA wrote an op ed in the Portland Press Herald to support the bills and to speak against the physical or psychological harrassment that too often occurs among young people.
Resources
Stan Davis and Chuck Saufler are experts in the subject of bullying and harrassment. They have partnered with the State of Maine since 2005 when
the Maine legislature charged the Children’s Cabinet with the development and
distribution of the Maine’s Best Practices in Bullying and Harassment prevention
policy, guide and website now housed together at http://www.maine.gov/education/bullyingprevention
From this important, yet still incomplete, work at the state level, Davis and Saufler expanded their collective work in the field of bullying
prevention in order to focus on
school climate improvement through staff and student collaborative strategies
that build connection and inclusion for all. As documented in the national
report "Hard-Wired To Connect: A Report to the Nation from the Commission
on Children at Risk" documenting rising rates of mental problems and
emotional distress among U.S. children and adolescents, students are most
likely to learn in a school environment in which they feel safe and connected.
It is also clear that youth involvement and participation in building school culture
is a crucial element of positive school functioning.
Young people can tell us how their schools are functioning as supportive
learning communities. Young people can give educators valuable feedback about
the programs and practices that help them feel connected and safe at
school. In addition, students can tell us how their schools should improve to
become more supportive and inclusive communities. Greater academic gains are
made by helping schools, their administrators, staff, students and parents better
understand the relationship between effective and positive culture and climate
and student emotional well-being and school performance.
Davis and Saufler partnered with the Children’s Cabinet to conduct the Maine Youth Voices Survey.
The survey compiles data relating to school climate, connectedness, and health and safety
from students all over the state of Maine in conjunction with a national
research project.