Students Show Decreased Bullying Behavior

Millicent Kellner, Ph.D.

Recently, High Point students in grades 5 through 12 completed the Olweus Bullying questionnaire.Their results were then compared to the most comprehensive U.S. study about the prevalence of bullying in regular public schools (Nansel, Overpeck, Pilla, Ruan, Simon-Morton, & Scheidt, 2001).

When compared to their peers in regular education programs, the High Point students were found to be engaged in bullying through physical aggression at a quarter of the rate and in bullying through sexual means at half the rate. These are important findings.

Since the High Point School is a small, therapeutic school with intensive services, including close student supervision, it is better able to provide a safe environment for students than a large, regular school setting. The school’s educational and clinical programs help students build social skills. As a result, High Point students are better able to use appropriate interpersonal skills to deal with conflict and avoid these bullying behaviors.

12/19/2005