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Bullying and Harassment
The 2010 Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2801, a Washington State law which prohibits harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in our schools.
RCW 28A.300.285 defines harassment, intimidation and bullying as any intentionally written message or image—including those that are electronically transmitted—verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:
- Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
- Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying is repeated negative behavior toward a less powerful person or persons. Hitting, name-calling, shunning, and shaming are all forms of bullying. Spreading rumors, gossiping and making threats are also forms of bullying. For further information in cyberbullying, see Safety Center Internet Safety.
Schools are required to take action if students report they are being bullied. Beginning in August 2011, each school district is required to adopt the model anti-bullying policy and procedure provided here.
Model Policies and Procedures
Substitute House Bill 2801 called for OSPI to create a model policy and procedures on harassment, intimidation and bullying. OSPI submitted the following policy and procedure to the Legislature on December 1, 2010. Districts were required to adopt or amend their policy and procedures to, at a minimum, incorporate these models by August 1, 2011:
In addition to the model HIB policy and procedures, OSPI also developed supporting templates and training materials which can be adapted for local use.
- Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying – Targeted Student Safety Plan Template
- Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying – Targeted Student Safety Plan (Primary) Template
- Sample HIB Incident Reporting Form
(Also available in Chinese,
Khmer,
Korean,
Punjabi,
Russian,
Somali,
Spanish,
Tagalog,
Vietnamese)
Compliance Officer Information
Training PowerPoints - Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Cyberbullying
The following four PowerPoint presentations are provided to assist districts with the harassment, intimidation and bullying training requirements of RCW 28A.300.285. The four presentations are in an FAQ format and include:
OSPI resources on bullying and harassment
District-Created Resources on Bullying , Harassment and Intimidation
Districts are creating a variety of tools and resources to help address bullying, harassment and intimidation across Washington. They are being made available for others to access and adapt:
Parent/Family Resources
All the resources listed throughout this site are available to families. Families may be especially interested in using the
Sample HIB Incident Reporting Form, and the Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying – Targeted Student Safety Plan Template. They may also want to check the list of
Compliance Officers for their district’s HIB contact person.
The following is a list of additional resources and sites specifically for parents and families.
Anti-HIB Work Group
The Washington State legislature has established the Anti-HIB Work Group to help maintain focus and attention on, and to monitor progress of implementation of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) prevention and intervention efforts. Follow the link for information on the Work Group information and meetings.
Selected Program & Curriculum Resources: The following are links to information on bullying prevention and intervention background, educator and parent resources and programs.
Committee for Children: Provides many resources for bullying prevention. This site can guide the selection of a bullying prevention program by the bullying prevention committee.
Community Matters: Programs and services organized around a whole-school framework to improve school climate and reduce bullying related incidents.
Let’s Get Real: Young people tell their stories in their own words–and the results are heartbreaking, shocking, inspiring and poignant.
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: A comprehensive, school-wide program designed and evaluated for use in elementary, middle, or junior high schools.
Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Unites, engages and educates communities nationwide to address bullying through creative, relevant and interactive resources.
Peaceful Playgrounds: The purpose is to introduce children and school staff to the many choices of activities available on playgrounds and field areas
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A decision making framework that guides selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based academic and behavioral practices for improving important academic and behavior outcomes for all students.
Project Adventure: The Peaceable Playground Program was developed by Project Adventure to address aggressive play at recess.
Rachel’s Challenge: A series of student empowering programs and strategies that equip students and adults to combat bullying and ally feelings of isolation and despair.
Safe & Civil Schools: A series of materials and services that schools and districts can use to implement Positive Behavior Support solutions.
Seattle MS Cyberbullying Curriculum: Lessons can be used alone, but contain materials designed to coordinate with and fit into ongoing Olweus Bullying Prevention programs.
StopBullying.gov: Provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.
Teaching Tolerance: A place for educators to find thought-provoking news, conversation and support for those who care about diversity, equal opportunity and respect for differences in schools.
Other Helpful Links and Reports
Bullying in Washington Schools: Update 2008 (PDF): A report from the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center, Puget Sound Division.
Committee for Children: Provides many resources for bullying prevention. This site can guide the selection of a bullying prevention program by the bullying prevention committee.
Cyberbullying Research Center: The Center provides up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.
Girls Study Group:
(2008) Understanding and Responding to Girls' Delinquency (PDF): An examination from the U.S. Department of Justice on the involvement of girls in violent activity and the contexts in which girls engage in violent behavior.
International Bullying Prevention Association: The IBPA supports and enhances quality research based bullying prevention principles and practices to achieve a safe school climate, healthy work environment, good citizenship and civic responsibility.
National School Safety Center: Established by presidential directive, the national center is an advocate for safe, secure and peaceful schools.
The Office of the Education Ombudsman provides assistance to resolve complaints, disputes, and problems between families and elementary and secondary public schools in all areas that affect student learning.
Restorative Practice: To help improve communication, develop a sense of community, manage discussions and disagreements, challenge inappropriate behaviors, resolve conflicts, and handle disciplinary issues.
Safe & Supportive Schools: Follow the
Products and Tools link for bullying training toolkits during staff meetings, training events and conferences.
STRYVE: Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere: A national initiative, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which takes a public health approach to preventing youth violence before it starts.
Tribes: Tribes Learning Communities is a research-based process that creates a culture that maximizes learning and human development
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