The Gold Standard in Bullying Prevention

The Gold Standard in Bullying Prevention

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is the only evidence-based, nationally recognized program credited with over 35 years of research. OBPP has been implemented in over 6000 schools nationwide and has been classified as a model program by the Blueprints for Violence Prevention, a project of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado.

OBPP has been proven to reduce student reports of being bullied and bullying others by fifty percent or more. Peer and teacher ratings of bullying problems have yielded similar results. There have also been significant reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior such as vandalism, school violence, fighting, theft, and truancy. Finally there have been improvements in the classroom social climate as reflected in students' reports of improved order and discipline, more positive social relationships, and more positive attitudes toward schoolwork and school. Currently the authors of OBPP have a national database of bullying incidence data that includes over 1.8 million student surveys.

STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATIONS OF OBPP

Virginia
Ninety-four schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia benefitted from an initiative that began in 2006 and enabled a wide-scale implementation of the evidence-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) across the state. Among the more striking findings released in April 2011, was an increase of an average of 6.25 percentage points in English, Math, Science and History standardized test scores in those schools that more completely implemented the Olweus program.

According to students surveyed, changes found in bullying prevalence and teacher initiative included:

63% of schools reported decreases in the frequency of children being bullied.
75% of schools reported decreases in the frequency of children bullying others.
31% of schools reported increases in teachers speaking to students about bullying behaviors.
81% of schools reported increases in teachers actively trying to counteract bullying in the classroom.

Pennsylvania
Over 400 schools in Pennsylvania have implemented OBPP and recent study results from 2011 data released by the Highmark Foundation have indicated that the percentage of students who bully others two to three times per month or more (between 2008 and 2010) decreased by 27 percent among elementary students, 35 percent among middle school students and 31 percent for high school students. Students’ reports of being bullied two to three times per month or more also decreased.

The report findings also demonstrate that Pennsylvania school students are beginning to reach out to their peers in a more positive way. Findings show that the percentage of students who said they would “just watch” when someone is getting bullied decreased by 27 percent among elementary students, 17 percent among middle school students and 33 percent among high school students.

The Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative is a partnership of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and Hazelden.

How can we effectively and compassionately address the needs of children who are being bullied, children who are bullying, children who are bystanders, and the adults around them? This is from a series of articles by Hazelden -- examining the issue of bullying prevention and offering strong, workable solutions.

U.S. Research Studies

For results of research studies conducted in the United States on the effectiveness of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, click here.

Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association

1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108

651.999.7310 MN toll free 800.642.6807

Fax: 651.999.7311 E-mail: mespa@mespa.net