NJ schools report 12K bullying instances last year
New Jersey education officials now have a handle on just how much bullying happens in public schools.
Data made public yesterday show there were more than 12,000 instances of harassment, intimidation and bullying reported in the 2011-12 school year. That’s the first year the state’s tough new anti-bullying law was in effect.
New Jersey used a new definition of the behaviors, so there are no previous data for comparison.
The state also says that there were fewer assaults, fights, criminal threats, robbery, extortion and vandalism last year, compared with the previous school year.
New Jersey’s changes were signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in 2011. They got extra attention after Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide. His roommate used a webcam to watch him kissing another man in their dorm room.
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