N.J. commission recommends more action on school bullying
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
By: Phil Gregory
philgregorynews@gmail.com
A state commission is recommending more action be taken to protect New Jersey school children from bullies.
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The New Jersey Commission on Bullying says more training and public awareness is needed to stop bullying in schools.
Commission Chairman Stuart Green says as many as 10% of school kids suffer harsh treatment from their peers. And he says that kind of intimidation can have a widespread effect.
Green: For all the kids in a school who have a feeling that violence is inadequately controlled by the adults who run the schools, this impairs academic performance, it interferes with their ability to focus on tests and studying."
The Commission is recommending increasing training for educators to identify and prevent verbal and physical intimidation of students. They say the goal should be to create school environments that discourage bullying and help students feel safe.
