Bullies Ruin the School Experience

Bullies Ruin the School Experience

I was picked on during my younger school days. I’m not complaining; that’s just the way things were back then. The bigger kids picked on the younger students, and the trickle-down effect led to a few bullies in the school.

Don’t get me wrong; there were plenty of good kids and students, but there were bullies who had to take out their aggression on the 98-pound weaklings. I fell into that category.

Let’s get one thing straight right now: Bullying is wrong.

Bullying goes against everything that schools stand for. A school should be a safe haven filled with opportunities to learn and grow; it is a place for children to expand upon their perceived talents and abilities, a place to be nurtured and treasured.

Today’s grown-ups are rightfully concerned about the state of education in the United States. Among their concerns are funding levels for schools and whether standards on which those schools are judged truly reflect students’ performance.

When discussing the social climate at schools, adults would do better to ask for input from the students about bullying and other types of harassment. Why? Because one-third of students between the ages of 12 and 18 reports being bullied at school. This includes verbal harassment in the form of ridicule or rumors.

The National School Board Association (NSBA) has launched a campaign that facilitates face-to-face meetings between students and school board members. In fact, the Department of Education has awarded $38.8 million to states to measure school safety and intervene in schools with the greatest need. NSBA is encouraging school board members to meet with groups of students and ask point-blank questions, such as: “Do you feel safe at school?” and “Do you feel respected by teachers and staff?”

“I don’t think we can solve [the problem] without the students,” said NSBA President Mary Broderick. Students can improve the dialog about improving a school’s climate, and if teachers, administrators or even parents would listen, students would be the source of a wealth of data. It also is a great opportunity for educators to show students they are listening and are aware of and acting on the problems of bullying.

A great example of a school addressing bullying and cyber-bullying is Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins, Colo. Its policy is clear, and if the policy is not enforced, parents can pull their children from the school.

Schools that successfully thwart bullying have common characteristics and are worthy of further attention by policymakers and school officials. For starters, schools should offer an ambitious, well-ordered curriculum that challenges all students. Behavioral expectations should be clear, concise and plainly stated. All students should be fully occupied with schoolwork, homework and edifying extracurricular activities.

Instructors should be competent and skilled in pushing all students to higher levels of academic achievement. Parents should be active and engaged in the school.

Most importantly, parents who find these standards are not being maintained by their students’ school should be free to move their children to schools that do.

“When I began my work as education commissioner in Rhode Island, I pledged that every decision I would make would be in the best interest of the students,” said Deborah A. Gist, who still retains that position. “To make sure we are working in the best interest of students, it is essential to meet with students and to hear their voices and their concerns.”

Keith Welner, professor of education at the University of Colorado in Boulder, said students should be asked to speak about not just whether their schools have anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, but also whether those policies are known and enforced.

Bullying undermines the safe learning environment that students need to achieve their full potential. Reforming public education in the sensible direction of having school choice, parental empowerment and truly professional (non-union) educators is an imperative first step toward relieving the bullying affliction. By stingily maintaining its monopoly status (at the expense of parenting), government bureaucrats and their political allies are themselves being bullies.

“And, like all scoundrels, these bullies deserve the firmest resistance from Americans who still value freedom,” said Bob Schaffer, chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education, and former U.S. congressman.

This article originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.