(NOTE: I strongly disagree with the author’s conclusions and question some of the research cited, especially research critical of “whole school” bullying prevention programs, such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. There is far more research that supports the positive results of whole school programs than the opposite conclusion. But I like to provide various points of view, even if I personally disagree with them. – Mike)
Written by Raven Clabough
Tuesday, 04 May 2010 09:55
On May 3, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed new anti-bullying legislation that its supporters believe will deter school bullies and place greater responsibility on teachers to remain vigilant.
For two years, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) led a variety of groups to push for the adoption of the measure. However, the bill gained momentum after the recent public suicides of two Massachusetts students who were victims of harassment.
The first victim, 11-year-old Carl Walker Hoover, a sixth-grader at the New Leadership Charter School, hanged himself in Springfield on April 6, 2009 after being extensively tormented by his peers. Hoover endured daily taunts of being called “gay,” though he did not identify as homosexual. The bullies repeatedly threatened to beat, even kill, Hoover. Hoover’s mother pleaded with the school to address these issues on a weekly basis, to no avail.
One year later, in January 2010, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, a “new girl” at South Hadley High School, committed suicide after struggling with repeated bullying.