Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

2010

Thesis Director

James M. Havey

Thesis Committee Member

Christine McCormick

Thesis Committee Member

Unknown

Abstract

Bullying is a rising problem in America leading to low self-esteem, poor school performance, and even teenage suicides. As Americans we feel it is our duty to "fix" the problems associated with bullying in order to help each student receive the best education possible. With this attitude, programs like the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program are making a rise as researched-based interventions based on the whole-school concept.

Originally, Olweus, found positive results in Norway and, consequently, started marketing his program to schools in America. Unfortunately, various studies by Cornell (2006) and Fink (2010), along with this study have shown significantly different results. These studies have not shown any improvement in bullying issues within schools.

This study examined the planning and implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at a middle school in a small Midwestern city. It was hypothesized that the number of office discipline referrals would decrease as the program was implemented. However, the opposite happened, the number of office discipline referrals increased. Furthermore, a teacher developed questionnaire was given to the certified faculty members at a staff meeting at the conclusion of the first year of implementation. Teachers had many concerns about the program and its impact on the bullying problem at the middle school.

It is suggested for the middle school to continue implementing the program for at least three more school years in order to track the data year to year. Also, consistent implementation of the program, further training, simpler/more concise lessons, and consistency across grade levels for a better evaluation of the program.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS