One of the best ways to address bullying prevention in schools is to implement an evidence-based bullying prevention program. Evidence-based means the program has gone through rigorous evaluations effectively demonstrating that the program results in positive outcomes.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. With over thirty-five years of research and successful implementation all over the world, OBPP is a whole-school program that has been proven to prevent or reduce bullying throughout a school setting.

OBPP is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program. These efforts are designed to improve peer relations and make the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.

What are the Goals of OBPP?

OBPP has three main goals. They are to reduce existing bullying problems among students, prevent the development of new bullying problems, and to achieve better peer relations at school.

To achieve these goals, OBPP includes four anti-bullying rules for the entire school community to follow:

1. We will not bully others.
2. We will try to help students who are bullied.
3. We will try to include students who are left out.
4. If we know that someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

When posted around the schools and memorized by the students, these rules, along with the rest of the program, are effective in reducing and preventing bullying.

What are the Effects of OBPP?

Research has shown how successful implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program can reduce school bullying. Results have included:

• Fifty percent or more reductions in student reports of being bullied and bullying others. Peer and teacher ratings of bullying problems have shown similar results.
• Significant reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior such as school bullying, vandalism, school violence, fighting, theft, and truancy.
• Significant 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.
• Greater support for students who are bullied, and stronger, more effective interventions for students who bully.

When implementing OBPP with fidelity, this award-winning program will effectively reduce and prevent bullying in your school. For more information visit the Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative, call 651-999-7310 or toll free at 800-642-6807.