The New Jersey anti-bullying law passed after the suicide death of Tyler Clementi went into effect this week and is "considered the toughest legislation against bullying in the nation," the New York Times reports. This is good news for New Jersey parents of targeted students who have found schools unresponsive but apparently tough news for schools. School officials worry that the legal requirement … [Read more...] about New state anti-bullying law challenges schools
bullying
What is online risk?: Helpful clarity from Europe
To survey 9-to-16-year-olds and their parents in 25 countries, UK-based EU Kids Online came up with questions and definitions that people of all ages and many cultures and languages could understand – bringing a useful sense of definition to youth advocates worldwide. Here are the online "risk factors" about which all the researchers (based throughout Europe) asked their young respondents: Have … [Read more...] about What is online risk?: Helpful clarity from Europe
Federal judge on bullying & schools’ responsibility
"A federal judge has ordered a hearing to determine if a 12-year-old girl with learning disabilities was deprived of 'a free and appropriate education' by the constant bullying she allegedly endured at a Manhattan public school," the New York Law Journal reports (I'm sorry I can't link you directly – subscription required). Eastern District Judge Jack B. Weinstein wrote in L.K. v. New York City … [Read more...] about Federal judge on bullying & schools’ responsibility
When adults bully our kids
Just because bullying of children by children is in the news a lot doesn't mean it's new, growing, or done only by children. But it remains a problem – a very serious one for some children (see this ) – and "we will never address the bullying problem between our students if we don’t address it among ourselves," writes educator Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes in her blog. I … [Read more...] about When adults bully our kids
Social-emotional learning ups academic performance
Right from the proverbial horse's mouth, so hear this: that social and emotional learning (SEL) has brought academic gains "that equal the results of many programs focused exclusively on academics ... is one of the most important findings from a far-reaching review of social and emotional learning programs for which I was the principal investigator," writes author and retired psychology professor … [Read more...] about Social-emotional learning ups academic performance