Session: Rigorous Evaluations of Programs Seeking to Reduce Bullying in Schools (Society for Prevention Research 25th Annual Meeting)

The goal of this symposium session is to discuss National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded innovative approaches for testing the effectiveness of new and existing bullying prevention and intervention programs using rigorous research evaluation methods. NIJ is committed to developing knowledge that prevents violence within schools. Although bullying prevention programs are widely disseminated within the U.S., there are few rigorous evaluations of these programs. This symposium supports the conference theme of testing the efficacy of prevention interventions under real world conditions. This symposium brings together researchers from variety of organizations who are all actively pursuing innovative bullying prevention research that seeks to improve the safety and well-being of children in schools.

The first paper, “Integrative Models to Improve School Safety: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program” integrates the two evidence based programs and assesses the effectiveness of integrating these programs within schools. This is the first randomized control trial to evaluate these programs together in U.S. schools. This has important implications for bullying prevention because no previous studies have evaluated how these two programs operate when implemented together.

The second paper “A Randomized Impact Evaluation of the No Bully System” examines the effectiveness of the No Bully System (NBS) within urban areas of the West Coast. This program uses a non-punitive approach for teachers and school leaders to respond to acts of aggression and bullying. This research study takes a “bottom-up” approach by highlighting a widely disseminated and well liked program and performing a rigorous evaluation. This is the first randomized control trial of NBS.

The third paper “Effects of a Middle School Social-Emotional Learning Program on Teen Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Substance Use in High School” uses a randomized control trial to assess the effectiveness of Second Step in rural areas of the Midwest. Second Step is an anti-bullying program that focuses on improving social skills to reduce impulsive and aggressive behaviors. This study specifically looks at how Second Step effects the trajectories of bullying, victimization, and other issues related to school violence and whether substance use moderates the Bully-Sexual Violence Pathway. This study uniquely assesses whether a program that was designed to prevent one or two specific outcomes can have impacts on other related outcomes.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the discussant will identify themes that emerged from the presentations, make some summary statements and then facilitate a discussion between the presenters and the attendees.