Student Safety/Bullying Reporting

This section provides guidance to school corporations in the development of bullying prevention programs for the prevention of bullying behavior in schools, in accordance with P.L. 285-2013. Below provides the required content with corresponding statutory requirements. Each school corporation has local control over the content of the bullying prevention programming except that the plan must contain, at a minimum, the following components, as set forth in P.L. 285-2013:

• Development and implementation of a bullying prevention program using age appropriate, research based information (IC 5-2-10.1-12(d)(1))
• No later than October 15 of each year, each school in the corporation shall provide age appropriate, research based instruction as provided under IC 5-2-10.1-12(d)(1) focusing on bullying prevention for all students in grades 1 through 12. (IC 20-30-5-5.5)
• Instruction indicated above should be delivered by a school safety specialist, school counselor or any other person with training and expertise in the area of bullying prevention and intervention. (IC 20-30-5-5.5)
• Include a definition of bullying as defined in IC 20-33-8-0.2(a) and that will not be interpreted to impose any burden or sanction on, or include in the definition of the term, any of the actions outlined in IC 20-33-8-0.2(b)

Recommendations are provided for the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. Each section provides a program outline specific to bullying prevention for the targeted level. An overview of developmental characteristics is included to assist with the development of age-appropriate instruction. The outline offers a three-tiered approach when responding to the requirements of P.L. 285-2013: a) tier one minimally meets the requirements of the law, b) tier two builds upon minimum requirements to offer additional program components that contribute to increased program effectiveness, and c) a tier three approach contains all elements of tiers one and two. Additionally, tier three provides strategies to help schools build a data-driven comprehensive bullying prevention and intervention program. This data-driven programming provides administrators with the information necessary for informed decision-making and continual program improvement that best meets the needs of their students. Resources to aid in your school’s program development are also offered. Please use these resources as you find appropriate.

US DOE – Effective Evidence-based Practices for Prevention and Addressing Bullying

Elementary

• Developmental Overview
• Program Outline (Minimal, Better, Best)
• Elementary School Resources

Middle

• Developmental Overview
• Program Outline (Minimal, Better, Best)
• Middle School Resources

High

• Developmental Overview
• Program Outline (Minimal, Better, Best)
• High School Resources

Introduction to Bully Prevention & Intervention Plan and Policy Development

Investigation and In-School Reporting Protocols

• Investigation & Reporting of Bullying Incidents
• Anonymous Reporting Options

Discipline

• Model School Corporation Policy
• Disciplinary Consequences and Supports

Follow-up Services

• Follow-up Services
• Follow-up Services Resources
  • Bullying Packet/Assignment (Grades k-1)
  • Bullying Packet/Assignment (Grades 2-3)
  • Bullying Packet/Assignment (Grades 4-6)
  • Bullying & Social Skills Packet/Assignment (Middle School/High School)
  • Anti-bullying Contract with Elementary Student
  • Anti-bullying Contract with Middle/High School Student

State Reporting Guidelines

• Refer to top of this page.

School Employee Training

• School Corporation Employee Training on School Policy

Prevention Instruction for Students

Legal Considerations

• Criminal Offenses

Anti-Bullying School Policy Resources

• Anti-bullying Brochure Reporting Example
• Bullying Report SAMPLE Forms
  • Bullying Report and Incident SAMPLE Form
  • Parent Bullying Report SAMPLE Form
  • Staff Bullying Report SAMPLE Form
  • Elementary Student Bullying Report SAMPLE Form
  • Student Bullying Report SAMPLE Form

Introduction to Staff Training

School Employee Training
One of the key components of P.L. 285-2013 is for school administrators to train all employees and volunteers who have ongoing contact with students regarding the school corporation's bully prevention and intervention policy. The legislation states:

Sec. 34.2. A school corporation shall provide training to the school corporation's employees and volunteers who have direct, ongoing contact with students concerning the school's bullying prevention and reporting policy adopted under IC 20-33-8-13.5.

It is important for school employees and volunteers to understand accurate definitions of bullying and school procedures, timetables and expectations for the in-school reporting of observed bullying incidents. Increased employee and volunteer awareness will allow for compliance with the section of P.L. 285-2013 that call for school policy to include

Sec. 13.5(iv) timetables for reporting of bullying incidents to school counselors, school administrators, the superintendent, or law enforcement, if it is determined that reporting the bullying incident to law enforcement is necessary

Sec. 13.5(v) discipline provisions for teachers, school staff, or school administrators who fail to initiate or conduct an investigation of a bullying incident

Training Tools

• P.L. 285-2013 Webinar
• School Employee Training on Prevention - updated 10/18/2017
• School Employee Training on School Policy
• Addressing Bullying as a School Counselor: Online Training
• Paraeducators and Bullying
• Food Services
• Clerical Services
• Custodial and Maintenance Services
• Bus Drivers
• Volunteers

Training Opportunities

Upcoming Trainings & Conferences:

• School Safety Academies
• Indiana School Counselor Association
• Past Trainings