Diving Into Bullying Prevention Research

 

I’m running for our school board because I care deeply about every student’s safety and sense of belonging. Even before launching my campaign, I spent evenings and weekends gathering proven tools and frameworks that could help our district build a stronger, more supportive culture. Below is a high-level tour of the programs and studies that stood out to me. I hope it shows where we can start and why these resources matter.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
https://www.pbis.org/
https://www.pbis.org/topics/bullying-prevention

PBIS already shapes parts of our district’s culture. It was implemented in Tahoma, at least partially, in 2019. It uses three tiers of support to mix school-wide expectations with targeted help for students who need it most. By tracking data, we can see what’s working and where we still need to grow. I recommend that our first step should be mapping which PBIS components we’ve adopted and where the gaps remain.

Key ideas

• Tier 1: Positive expectations for everyone
• Tier 2: Early check-ins and small-group skill-building
• Tier 3: Personalized plans for students facing the greatest challenges

Sandy Hook Promise Programs
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/what-we-do/programs/

I was moved by their belief that preventing violence starts with building connection. They offer free tools like Say Something, Start with Hello, and Know the Signs. Each one gives students and adults clear steps to spot concerns and act before things escalate.

Key ideas

• Empowering students to speak up
• Simple scripts for teachers to create welcoming classrooms
• Clear guides for parents and staff on behavior warning signs

StopBullying.gov + “Misdirections in Prevention” Report
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
https://www.stopbullying.gov/sites/default/files/2017-10/misdirections-in-prevention.pdf

This federal site collects research, tips, and legal guidance all in one place. I was struck by their tiered prevention framework and the report warning against commonly used policies (such as zero-tolerance) that often backfire. Their emphasis on relationship-building over punishment is exactly what we need.

Key ideas

• Building a positive school climate through clear rules and consistent routines
• Targeted support for at-risk students
• Training that centers on relationships rather than punishments

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
https://www.olweusprogram.com/ (new home as of July 1, 2025)
https://clemsonolweus.org/ (original site that is only up during the transition)

Olweus is one of the most established and thoroughly researched programs out there. It brings families, classrooms, and the whole school into prevention work, emphasizing empathy and open dialogue. Their guides include step-by-step class meetings and staff workshops. I have a friend who is a teacher in Ohio that implemented this framework a long time ago. He has reported that his school has had almost no incidents over the years.

Key ideas

• Whole-school involvement
• Regular class meetings for sharing and reflection
• Long-term commitment to culture change

Missouri Bully Prevention Lab + “Bullying Framework and Tiered Interventions”
https://www.mizzoubullypreventionlab.com/
https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/Bullying_Framework_and_Tiered_Interventions.pdf

This initiative blends rigorous research with practical tools. Their tiered model mirrors PBIS but adds deeper social-emotional learning layers and built-in evaluation tools so we can measure our progress over time. The PDF link is to a report they created which outlines multiple frameworks that they have researched. I have not listed those out here as all of the links and summary are in their report.

Key ideas

• Tiered interventions shaped by student needs
• Training modules for teachers and staff
• Data-driven evaluation to keep improving

BullyingFree NZ
https://bullyingfree.nz/

New Zealand’s nationwide approach blew me away. It is based on the Kia Kaha framework, at least in part, that is in the Mizzou report above. Every school participates in a framework that covers prevention, response, and ongoing training for principals, teachers, parents, and students. Their focus on restorative practices and student voice feels especially powerful. This site is full of resources and deserves a lot of our time to dig into it more.

Key ideas

• Mandatory school participation
• Research-backed resources for all community members
• Restorative approaches that heal and rebuild trust
• Ongoing professional development for educators

A Community Driven Path Forward

I believe real change happens when every voice is part of the conversation. Here is a high-level roadmap for how we can move from research to action, hand in hand with our district community.

1. Form a Bullying Prevention Committee
   • Invite district leaders, principals, teachers, support staff, parents, and students
   • Include representatives from counseling, special education, and equity teams
   • Meet regularly to build trust, share perspectives, and keep momentum
2. Audit Our Current PBIS Implementation
   • Map which PBIS practices are already in place (Tier 1, 2, and 3 supports)
   • Identify gaps or areas that need deeper attention
   • Use school climate surveys, discipline data, and staff feedback
3. Gather and Compare Top Frameworks
   • Provide committee members with summaries and direct links to each resource:
     • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – https://www.pbis.org/
     • Sandy Hook Promise – https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/what-we-do/programs/
     • StopBullying.gov – https://www.stopbullying.gov/
     • Olweus Bullying Prevention Program – https://www.olweusprogram.com/
     • Missouri Bully Prevention Lab’s Bullying Framework and Tiered Interventions – https://www.mizzoubullypreventionlab.com/
     • BullyingFree NZ – https://bullyingfree.nz/
   • Ask teams to note class-wide tools, staff training needs, data requirements, and family engagement strategies
4. Narrow to 2–4 Strongest Candidates
   • Use a simple scoring system based on fit with our district culture, cost, training resources, and evidence of impact
   • Present the top choices to the full committee for discussion
5. Invite Community Feedback
   • Host listening sessions at each school and a virtual town hall
   • Share side-by-side comparisons of the finalists
   • Collect input from teachers, parents, students, and community partners
6. Select and Plan Implementation
   • Reach consensus on the framework that best meets our needs and values
   • Develop a phased rollout schedule with clear milestones
   • Ensure ongoing training, data tracking, and regular check-ins
   • Celebrate successes and adjust as we learn together

By bringing together diverse viewpoints from day one, we’ll choose a framework we believe in, set ourselves up for smooth implementation, and keep every member of our community at the heart of this work. I’m committed to leading this effort with transparency, compassion, and a shared drive to make our schools safer and more welcoming for every child.

Posted on 23 Jul 2025, 2:39 - Category: Anti-Bullying