What is a Whole-School Approach to Bullying Prevention?
By Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D.
Vice President/ Education Editor
During the school year, a third of middle and high school students have reported being bullied. According to the Center for Disease Control, bullying is the third leading cause of death among young adults with approximately 4,400 deaths per year. With bullying being a systemic problem in American schools, the critical question to be asked is: What is a whole-school approach to bullying prevention?
In the past, teasing, joking or joining another person was seen as a part of growing up. There was no malicious intent to harm another person psychological or physical. In this millennium, bullying is not a part of a child being reared. It is a national epidemic causing students to face a high level of anxiety and depression when they are bullied in the classroom, on the streets or through electronic means.
One effective, research-based method to address bullying in the educational setting is through a whole-school approach. A whole-school approach involves all stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, community representatives, etc.) at the school to participate in some type of anti-bullying prevention activities such as a training on bullying.
Utilizing a whole-school approach to bullying, The Holmes Education Post (THEP) and Einestine Technology Services (ETS) extended an invitation to the leadership and administrative team at school districts and schools to review a free five-minute pilot of its Online National Anti-bullying Curriculum on “How to Eradiate Bullying” from the school’s culture. Please click the link “Bullying Curriculum” on THEP or ETS to review the online module in the curriculum.
In September 2015, a fully developed Online National Anti-Bullying Curriculum will be available by THEP and ETS for your consideration. The objectives are to (1) provide an online curriculum that can educate students and other school stakeholders on the policies, procedures and laws on anti-bullying preventions, (2) provide a historical, psychological and legal perspective of the negative effects of bullying and (3) provide research-based strategies to address the seriousness and dangers of bullying in the educational setting.
Using evidence based practice on bullying, Ronald Holmes’ newest book entitled “How to Eradicate Bullying” to be released in September 2015 will serve as the reference guide for the online program. The program can be adapted to fit any school district or school’s brand and made available in multiple platforms including OSX, Android, Windows, as well as device agnostic (tablet, phone, laptop).
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Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of nine books, “Education Questions to be Answered,” “Current Issues and Answers in Education,” “How to Eradicate Hazing,” “Professional Career Paths,” “Your Answers to Education Questions,” “How to revitalize the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.” “Completing the Dissertation: Tips, techniques and real-life experiences from Ph.D. graduates,” “Jacob’s Dream, A Story of Careers for Children” and Jacob’s Dream, A Story of Animals in Africa. He is publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at rwh@theholmeseducationpost.com
