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Utah school children deserve to learn and play in school environments that are safe – not physically threatening. It is why KSL is pleased the Utah State Board of Education recently formalized a statewide plan for dealing with schoolyard violence and aggressive bullying.
You may recall a series of Eyewitness News reports last February on schoolyard bullying. Over a period of days, KSL’s cameras focused on schools, randomly chosen, in three different districts. KSL documented more than 90 incidents of bullying on the playgrounds at nine of the ten schools observed.
The reports stirred widespread community concern.
Now, thanks to school board action, there is a statewide definition of bullying. Local school staffers will know what to look for.
More importantly, the Board is mandating that schools report each incident to the state. A form must be filled out every time a child is bullied. For the first time, experts will learn how big the problem actually is. With awareness and solid data, they can target problem areas and launch effective prevention strategies and programs.
In KSL’s view, the Utah State Board of Education has taken a significant step toward reducing schoolyard violence in Utah. Now comes the challenge of following through with the plan and actually making schools safe for all children!
