Choosing a Bullying Prevention Program

When sorting through the various options available, note that effective prevention programs share key elements. Choose a program after you conduct a needs assessment to ensure that the goals of the program meet the goals of your school.

Here are some questions to consider in selecting a program, adapted from the Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (1994):

1. Is the program research-based?

2. Does the program use a comprehensive curriculum developmentally tailored to be age specific? Does the program build on what is learned each year?

3. Does the program include practical lessons and activities in addition to information?

4. Is the program comprehensive, involving family, peers, all school staff, and the entire community?

5. Does the program use culturally sensitive material appropriate for students from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds?

6. Does the staff find the program satisfying and valuable? Does it include staff training?

7. Is the program cost efficient?

8. Can the program be incorporated into the curriculum? Is it incorporated into the safe schools or violence prevention program?

9. Do students find the program meaningful and enjoyable?

Creating Safe Schools Anti-Bullying Planning Worksheet

Using the Creating Safe Schools Process, these questions can help you develop a schoolwide anti-bullying program.

1. Develop School/Community Partnerships
Who should be involved?

2. Conduct Comprehensive Need Assessment
What data indicate the need for the program? Where will the data come from?

3. Develop an Anti-Bullying Plan
What are the measurable goals and objectives? How much and when?

4. Identify Strategies/Implement Programs
Which intervention(s) will you choose? What do you need to know before you select?

5. Conduct Evaluation
How will you evaluate? Who will do it? What if it doesn’t say what you had hoped?

6. Share Outcomes and Make Adjustments
Who will get the results? How will adjustments be made?

   Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

   The National Resource Center for Safe Schools