Identify the Extent of the Problem
A problem can't be fixed until a problem is admitted. A school administration that denies it has a problem with bullying will not be successful in its attempts to stop it. A parent who denies that her child is a bully contributes to the harm that her child will suffer as a result. And a society that looks the other way and allows children to continue to harass each other is a society that will suffer down the line.
School administration and personnel should conduct anonymous student surveys, talk with individual students, discuss bullying with teachers, and gather as much information about the school's overall climate as possible. Once the extent of the bullying problem is clearly identified, steps can be taken to educate the community, reduce the bullying, and improve the school's overall climate.
Essential
Ask the school principal at your child's school whether a bullying assessment survey has been conducted. If one has been conducted, ask to see the data on the results of the survey. If there hasn't been a survey done, ask the principal to consider surveying the students to get an idea of the full extent of the bullying problem in your child's school.
