Schools Talk Tough on Bullying, But Teachers Aren't Trained to Back it Up

    Progressives claim they want to see change, but all their solutions are lackluster and still leave the issue unresolved. Every time a new case of bullying occurs, leftists promise better laws and new programs to address and prevent bullying, yet they still fail to invest in the proper training that educators need. While officials boast about anti-bullying programs, the reality is that teachers remain unprepared to handle discipline, proving that stronger, more effective training is long overdue. 

    Perhaps the biggest issue is that no one can agree on what bullying actually is. As Ginette D. Roberge points out, "defining bullying is complex and multifaceted. There is no scientific and academic consensus, in fact, on a precise definition of bullying". The left is quick to claim that they have social issues handled and solutions figured out, but when it comes to bullying, they suddenly go quiet. If everyone agreed on a clear definition, schools would finally be able to properly train educators to handle the problem, rather than leaving them to guess. 

    Maybe we are drawing attention to the wrong spot. Schools love to boast about their "Zero Tolerance Policy," but the truth is, they tolerate plenty, because when it is time to do something, nothing meaningful ever gets done. Educators are left without the training they need to properly enforce consequences, and it is blatantly evident. If schools will not bother to properly train their staff on how to address and discipline bullying appropriately, then they are openly showing tolerance of the issue.

Karen Chow

    What can be done to solve the issue? The answer is simple: train your educators. David R. Dupper points out that one of the best practices in preventing school bullying is "the formation of a school coordinating team, including representatives from a number of groups (school administrators, educators, counselors, etc.)". When schools actually take the time to face the issue, they see positive results. The real issue is that no one wants to step up and do the work. That alone makes it clear that educators need more training. The answers to the issue are not hard to find; they are right there and are blatantly ignored. The only way progress will be seen is if schools truly take the right steps in resolving the issue.

    Dupper also found that another key strategy for preventing school bullying is "the development and provision of ongoing in-service training for teachers and all adults in the school environment who interact with students". If research is finding that teachers need more training, then why is nothing being done? Why is no one creating the programs that are clearly needed? It is hard to believe that lawmakers are serious about finding a solution when days go by, and nothing is being done. 

    Some claim that the real issue is not training at all, but instead, teachers are just not receiving enough support. Individuals believe that if educators do not feel supported by their administration or district, they either will not know how to correctly step in or simply will not bother to intervene with the issue. While this may be true in some cases, evidence has shown that educators often fail to recognize bullying or do not know how to respond appropriately when bullying occurs. That points directly to a lack of training, not a lack of support. The real issue is that too many educators are unprepared to step in, and something must be done to fix it.

    

Martínez-Carrera et al.

    The country pours money into the education system, but where is it going? If Americans are going to believe that funding is being used effectively, they want to see results, real improvements, changes, and programs that actually meet the needs of their children. Instead, they are left with the same problem: educators still are not receiving proper training, even though funds are set aside for workshops, training, programs, and more. Dupper notes that "The critical importance of ongoing teacher training is evidenced by the findings that teachers often do not recognize more subtle forms of bullying and are less likely to intervene or know how to respond to bullying without specific training". In other words, teachers do not know what to do when they see bullying, and still, no one is giving them the training they need to handle the issue. Why is no one taking the time to give educators the training they clearly need?

    When educators cannot recognize bullying, the idea of "Zero Tolerance" becomes meaningless. Schools love to preach this policy, but they are still not training educators or administration on how to spot bullying and step in when issues occur. This is blatant tolerance of the issue. Schools are turning a blind eye to bullying and expecting it to fix itself. 

    Schools receive federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) with the purpose being to “Establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments in public elementary and secondary schools. Prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate that impact school communities at individual and systemic levels.” If schools are receiving this funding, then why is nothing improving? The money allocated to schools is supposed to be used for real change, yet we are still not seeing any results. Why are educators still unprepared? 

    The amount of bullying that goes unpunished is downright unbelievable. There is absolutely no excuse for bullies walking away punishment-free. If schools took the time to properly train their educators, this problem may not be so common. When children see that there are real punishments for their actions, they are far less likely to engage in those actions, and in turn, bullying would decrease. But until educators receive proper training, the same cycle will continue, and children will continue to suffer from bullying. Schools can continue to boast about bullying prevention, but until they properly train their educators, their words are meaningless.