Maine Law & Civics Education at the University of Maine School of Law has initiated a program to assist Maine schools in creating a civil school community by preventing bullying, teasing and harassment. The bullying prevention education program has been implemented in over 30 schools across Maine since 2001. The Maine Department of Health & Human Services Injury Prevention Program, the University of Southern Maine and school fees fund the program. The program's goal has been to work with schools that have a commitment to bullying prevention, through staff training, parent involvement, curriculum implementation, bullying intervention strategies and school climate improvement. An implementation outline is attached. The program's prevention model is based on the Bullying Prevention Program created by Dr. Dan Olweus, which was selected as a Blueprint for Violence Prevention by the University of Colorado Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence.

Currently (2008) MLCE is no longer providing direct training services to schools. Instead, MLCE is sponsoring Bullying Prevention Training Institutes for educators and prevention agency staff working in schools. The Institutes provide research-based information and strategies that are proven effective in bullying and harassment prevention. Participants receive a program manual which has been developed to guide school coordinating committees implementing the prevention program. Participants also practice their presentation skills so they may train school staff in the bullying prevention strategies the school will be implementing.

The bullying prevention program grew out of the Maine Project Against Bullying, funded by the Maine Department of Education, which surveyed third graders in 128 Maine schools as well as reviewing the research, collecting resource materials, and developing educational strategies. The MBAP survey demonstrated the prevalence of bullying behavior in Maine schools. Out of 4500 third graders surveyed, 40% were teased in a mean way; 40% were called hurtful names; 34% were left out of things on purpose, 22% were threatened; and 37% were hit, kicked or pushed frequently. When this behavior was reported to adults in the school, 37% of children said that nothing changed or that the bullying got worse. These are the issues being addressed by the Maine bullying prevention education program. The emphasis is on working with the adults in the school, who have the responsibility for establishing a bully-free school climate. A school leadership team, the Coordinating Committee, implements the program in the school.

The first step is a school-wide awareness presentation on bullying prevention based on the research. If the administration, teachers and staff decide to commit to the program, a Coordinating Committee is established and training is scheduled, to be presented by trained staff and/or outside trainer/consultants. The school administers a bullying survey to its students to assess the type and prevalence of bullying behavior, as perceived by the students themselves. The Coordinating Committee plans the program implementation strategies and schedules additional staff development. The Coordinating Committee holds a program "kick-off" day; works with teachers to implement class meetings to discuss bullying prevention and conflict resolution with students; plans and presents information to parents; and develops school rules against bullying. The Committee may suggest revisions to the student code of conduct and the discipline policy to include graduated consequences, and recommend improved adult supervision in problem areas such as playgrounds and hallways. The full staff must be involved in documenting incidents of aggressive and bullying behavior and handling such incidents appropriately, including serious talks with the bully, victim, and parents. Staff also work with students to activate student bystanders and improve reporting of bullying incidents by students themselves. Referrals may be made to school and community resources as necessary. The goal is to create a safe, caring and respectful school climate for all students and staff. The school climate work is the heart of the prevention program.

After at least a year of program implementation, schools may re-administer the student bullying survey to track any changes in the frequency of bullying behavior among the student body. The pre- and post-survey comparison report is the primary program evaluation tool. Schools may use computer-based survey tools to administer surveys and analyze results. Staff surveys may also be designed and used. MLCE will provide technical assistance and survey tools to schools implementing a bullying prevention program.

For more information please contact Pam Anderson at Maine Law & Civics Education, 780-4991or email pamelaa@usm.maine.edu.