Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

12-2005

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Jasmine R. Renner

Committee Members

W. Hal Knight, Louise L. MacKay, Jack Rhoton

Abstract

Many stakeholders in American education are concerned about the frequency of reported bullying incidents within schools in general and middle schools in particular. This nationwide problem has manifested itself in many ways over the past few decades. These manifestations include, but are not limited to, increased gang violence, school shootings, and attendance problems due to student concerns over safety.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the bullying behaviors of a single class of students as they progressed through E. B. Stanley Middle School in Abingdon, Virginia. Data were gathered over the course of three consecutive school years beginning in August 2002 and continuing through May 2005. Reported bullying incidents were analyzed based upon gender of students, grade level of students, frequency of bullying behaviors, types of bullying behaviors (verbal, physical, or emotional), and location of incidents (bus, classroom, hallway, or other).

The study offers a valuable insight into the bullying incidents that occur within E. B. Stanley Middle School. It also offers a number of recommendations to combat this problem in middle level schools. Effective implementation of bullying prevention programs will need to involve all school stakeholders in order to be successful. Students have a right to feel safe at school as they grow and mature into adulthood. It is the duty of all schools to provide them that safe and secure atmosphere.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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