Governor, Lt. Governor Call on Education Leaders to Protect Iowa Student from Bullying

Governor, Lt. Governor Call on Education Leaders to Protect Iowa Student from Bullying

Governor Tom Vilsack and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson called on education and community leaders today to recognize and prevent the problem of bullying in Iowa's schools.

The Vilsack-Pederson Administration sent a letter (attached) to school superintendents and principals full of new data from the 2005 Iowa Youth Survey that suggests a continuing need for anti-bullying measures in Iowa schools. The letter urged leaders to adopt the model local school board policy the Administration developed to stem harassment, bullying, hazing or other intentional victimization based on a variety of factors including race, sex, religion or sexual orientation.

Vilsack and Pederson said they were dismayed by the recent comments of some Iowa political leaders who have downplayed the need for anti-bullying policies.

"Unlike some Iowa leaders, the Lt. Governor and I believe every child should have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment free from harassment and bullying," said Governor Vilsack. "Harassment of any kind seriously disrupts the ability of students to learn and succeed. We must say, in the strongest language, that every child, every person, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."

The 2005 Iowa Youth Survey of more than 98,000 students illustrated the growing problem of violence in Iowa schools. Forty-three percent of those surveyed said that students in their schools do not treat each other with respect; 22 percent of 11th graders felt that their best friends would not think it was wrong for them to start a physical fight with someone; 16 percent have tried to physically harm someone; and 15 percent reported not feeling safe at school.

"Bullying is a form of abuse, and no child's experience of growing up should be defined by abuse," Lt. Governor Pederson said. "When students are afraid of being bullied at school, they cannot learn and perform in the classroom to their best potential."

The Vilsack/Pederson Administration has made anti-bullying efforts a key part of their goal to improving learning in Iowa schools and keeping kids safe. They introduced legislation in the last legislative session to protect kids from various forms of harassment in school.

Other initiatives the Administration spearheaded includes: development of a statewide cadre of certified trainers in the internationally renowned Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, calling a statewide conference targeted at schools and other community partners to address bullying and harassment issues and reforms, hosting the 2005 Governor's Conference on Gay & Lesbian Youth, and creating a "Kid Safe Schools" category of recognition for schools and districts that have shown progress in addressing bullying and harassment.

http://www.governor.state.ia.us/news/2006/october/october1006_1.html