The Idaho Anti-Bullying Program

Currently, the policy in the state of Idaho for an anti-bullying program, Title 18, Chapter 9, Subsection 18-917A, states that each school district must have an anti-bullying program that requires a program to be in place. But, it does not specify the curriculum taught. The Idaho policy on anti-bullying should be changed to include a positive reinforcement program. The policy needs to be changed to a positive reinforcement program because bullying affects so many different students and the anti-bullying program has been proven to be ineffective, schools should teach kindness in order to prepare healthy, well rounded individuals, and elementary is where children learn and establish good morals, which is where the largest impact can be made.
This happens all across the globe. A problem that seems to have no solution. School is a place where students can go to to feel safe in an environment that is made to help them learn and advance. Not a place where students fear going to school. “The American Association of school Psychologists reported that more than 160,000 students are absent from school daily due to the fear of being bullied” (Levine and Tamburrino, 2014). That is an incredibly high number. For the school year of 2012-2013, there were about 98,328 public schools in the nation, that would mean that in each and every elementary, Middle, and High school in the Nation, an estimated two students do not show up to school because of the fear of being bullied.“Further, students who are being bullied may begin stealing money or being dishonest about being ill” (Levine, 2014).
“Children who engage in bullying from a young age may be involved in what is known as precursory bullying. Precursory bullying has implications for future bullying, and is understood as ultimately destructive and damaging” (Levine and Tamburrino, 2014). There is no doubt about this, we’ve all heard about adults that have been bullied as children and do not come out successful members of society. Clearly, this is a lifelong
Students are told not to bully, not to say mean words, and not to hurt others. It only focuses on the negative side of the problem. “Empathy clearly plays a tremendous role in an effective anti-bullying program” (Jones and Augustine, 2015). Kids aren’t being taught compassion, tolerance, and empathy thought these programs. The only thing that these students are being taught is what a bully is and everything they should not do. Clearly, tolerance is not being built amongst students. This is a trait that students learn as small children. It is hard to change the viewpoint of a child once their viewpoint has been taught, whether it be good or bad, they develope those thoughts about certain topics. Once tolerance and acceptance is established and taught bullying and harassment in secondary schools will significantly drop.
Aside from the ineffectiveness of bullying programs, “Targets of bullying behaviors are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem” (Domino, 2013). Not only are schools being ineffective with their programs, the students are facing the effects of this. “Research has advocated that individuals must work together to effectively reduce bullying practices within schools” (Jones and Augustine, 2015). By creating a kindness program, students will be taught to work together to solve problems, and, in end, create a better