Since the Columbine tragedy in 1999, there has been a national effort, albiet disjointed, to stop antisocial behaviors like bullying in our schools. The resulting publicity, research, and array of new programs have accomplished three things: We have
These are significant accomplishments. Unfortunately, the ultimate accomplishment still eludes our grasp: Consistently stopping bullying in our schools.
This is not surprising because, like so many other stubborn social troubles from drug use to violent crime, the solutions are not obvious. Nevertheless, we may be trapped in an outdated frame of mind about this issue, and it could be time for a new approach.
The New Approach is about adults collaborating to create something positive.
We need schools where a healthy, positive school climate crowds out the negative. These are places where students and families feel welcome. Problems are resolved using social skills that can be taught at school, not simply to ward off bullies but to foster healthy relationships with other students and adults.
In fairness, The New Approach isn't so new. It just isn't talked about so much in regard to bullying and other antisocial behaviors. Creating a welcoming school climate has many ingredients that have been around for awhile. Here are a few:
We call this new approach Creating A Climate of Respect. Every adult and student expects to be treated respectfully while they're at school. Bullying is the ultimate lack of respect.
If you want to improve the climate of your school district or school building, this one-day workshop is designed for you: school leaders, teachers, administrators, parents, and commuity members. In an active six-hour session participants are exposed to a school-wide plan to change the school climate at its root.
These workshops are run by Brian Koeing, who designed the Climate of Respect model based on his hands-on work with dozens of school districts. Brian provides specific examples of strategies that have worked for a variety of schools.
This workshop is for a team of people who are determined to improve the climate in their school so all students feel safe and welcome.
For more information, download the workshop summary and/or contact Brian via email.
If you are concerned about antisocial behaviors - like bullying, taunting, and ostracizing - at your school, collecting data is a great first step to prevention. If you are interested in how students and adults perceive the climate in your district or building or if you want to know how these perceptions influence students' attitudes about school and school performance, then you'll need surveys to help you systematically collect this data.
K12 Associates Climate Surveys help you gather this information and more, in an esaily accessable and affordable online format. These popular measurement tools have been used by school districts across the US, surveying more than 75,000 students and adults.