How to Choose an Anti-Bullying Program for Your School

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How to Choose an Anti-Bullying Program for Your School

Every school needs an effective anti-bullying strategy. But with countless programs, curricula, and approaches available, how do administrators and educators choose one that will actually work? The story in “Outnumbered” shows what’s possible when a school community—teachers, students, and peers—come together to stand against bullying. But that kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional, evidence-based programming.

This guide helps schools evaluate, select, and implement anti-bullying programs that create lasting change, not just check compliance boxes.

Why Schools Need Formal Anti-Bullying Programs

The Scope of the Problem

Current statistics:

Impact on School Climate

Bullying affects everyone, not just victims:

Schools are required to:

Failure to address bullying can result in:

What Makes an Anti-Bullying Program Effective?

Evidence-Based Components

Research consistently shows effective programs include:

1. Whole-School Approach

Not just curriculum but culture change:

2. Clear Policies and Consequences

Everyone knows:

3. Adult Training and Engagement

All staff (not just teachers):

4. Student Empowerment

Students are partners, not just recipients:

5. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Teaches skills:

6. Increased Supervision

Strategic presence in:

7. Parent and Community Involvement

Families are informed and engaged:

8. Data Collection and Assessment

Regular monitoring:

What Research Says Works

Meta-analyses show effective programs:

Most effective programs:

Evaluating Specific Programs

Step 1: Assess Your School’s Needs

Before selecting a program, understand your context:

Collect Baseline Data

Conduct:

Identify:

Define Goals

What do you want to achieve?

Be specific: “Reduce physical bullying incidents by 30% in one year” rather than “reduce bullying.”

Consider Your Context

School factors:

Step 2: Research Program Options

Evidence-Based Programs

Elementary School Programs:

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP)

Steps to Respect

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Second Step

Middle and High School Programs:

KiVa

Bully Busters

Youth Voice Project

Restorative Practices

Universal vs. Targeted Programs

Universal programs:

Targeted programs:

Best approach: Multi-tiered (universal foundation + targeted support)

Step 3: Evaluate Program Quality

Use these criteria to assess any program:

Evidence of Effectiveness

Questions to ask:

Red flags:

Implementation Requirements

Consider:

Warning signs:

Age-Appropriateness

Ensure program:

Example: Elementary students need concrete, simple strategies. High schoolers need complex discussions about power, identity, and digital citizenship.

Cultural Responsiveness

Program should:

Avoid:

Alignment with Your Goals and Values

Does it:

Step 4: Consider Practical Factors

Budget

Total costs include:

Funding sources:

Budget-friendly options:

Staff Buy-In

Critical success factor: Staff must believe in and commit to the program.

Strategies to build buy-in:

Warning: Top-down mandates without buy-in often fail.

Time and Sustainability

Questions:

Look for:

Implementation: Setting Your Program Up for Success

Phase 1: Planning (3-6 months before launch)

Form implementation team:

Develop implementation plan:

Prepare infrastructure:

Phase 2: Training (1-3 months before launch)

Train all staff:

Train student leaders:

Educate parents:

Phase 3: Launch and Early Implementation

Kick-off events:

Intensive monitoring:

Communication:

Phase 4: Sustained Implementation

Make it routine:

Monitor fidelity:

Provide ongoing support:

Phase 5: Evaluation and Improvement

Collect data regularly:

Analyze and share:

Make adjustments:

Continuous improvement cycle:

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. One-and-Done Approach

Problem: Single assembly or one-day training Why it fails: Bullying prevention requires sustained effort Solution: Multi-year, integrated approach

2. Focusing Only on Bullies and Victims

Problem: Ignoring bystanders Why it fails: Peers have huge influence; bystanders enable or stop bullying Solution: Comprehensive upstander education

3. Punitive-Only Approach

Problem: Only consequences, no skill-building Why it fails: Doesn’t teach alternative behaviors or address root causes Solution: Balance accountability with education and support

4. Curriculum Without Culture Change

Problem: Teaching lessons but not changing environment Why it fails: Knowledge doesn’t translate to behavior if culture doesn’t support it Solution: Whole-school approach addressing policies, practices, environment

5. Lack of Adult Supervision

Problem: Not enough eyes in hallways, cafeterias, etc. Why it fails: Bullying happens in unsupervised spaces Solution: Strategic staffing and supervision in hot spots

6. Ignoring Cyberbullying

Problem: Focus only on in-person bullying Why it fails: Digital bullying is pervasive and harmful Solution: Include digital citizenship and cyberbullying in programming

7. No Family Involvement

Problem: Schools work in isolation from families Why it fails: Parents need to reinforce messages and address issues at home Solution: Active parent education and partnership

8. Inadequate Training

Problem: Brief training without ongoing support Why it fails: Staff need depth of knowledge and practice to implement well Solution: Comprehensive initial training + ongoing coaching

9. Not Measuring Impact

Problem: Assuming program works without data Why it fails: Can’t improve what you don’t measure Solution: Regular data collection and evaluation

10. Giving Up Too Soon

Problem: Expecting immediate results Why it fails: Culture change takes time; problems may increase initially as reporting increases Solution: Commit to multi-year implementation; track progress over time

Special Considerations

Elementary Schools

Unique needs:

Effective strategies:

Middle Schools

Unique challenges:

Effective strategies:

High Schools

Unique context:

Effective strategies:

Special Populations

Additional considerations for:

Students with disabilities:

LGBTQ+ students:

Students of color:

English Language Learners:

Measuring Success

Leading Indicators (Process Measures)

Track implementation:

Outcome Measures

What you want to change:

Data Sources

Multiple measures provide complete picture:

Interpreting Results

Year 1: May see increase in reports as awareness grows—this is good!

Year 2-3: Should see decrease in actual bullying (per surveys) even if reports remain steady

Long-term: Sustained low rates, positive climate, strong sense of community

Resources for Schools

Free and Low-Cost Resources

StopBullying.gov

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center

Teaching Tolerance (Learning for Justice)

Common Sense Media

State Education Department Resources

Professional Organizations

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)

National School Climate Center

FAQ: Choosing Anti-Bullying Programs

Q: How much should we budget for an anti-bullying program? A: Ranges from $0 (building on existing resources) to $50,000+ for comprehensive programs in large schools. Most effective programs cost $3,000-$15,000 annually including training and materials.

Q: Can we create our own program instead of buying one? A: Yes, if you have expertise and resources. Use evidence-based components and evaluate rigorously. Many schools combine multiple resources to create custom approaches.

Q: How do we get staff buy-in if teachers feel overwhelmed? A: Involve them in decision-making, show how program addresses problems they’re experiencing, start small with volunteers, integrate into existing practices rather than adding on, provide adequate training and support.

Q: What if our program isn’t working? A: First, assess implementation fidelity—are you doing what the program requires? If yes, re-evaluate your data—is the problem different than you thought? Consider modifications or switching programs. Get external consultation.

Q: Do we need to address cyberbullying separately? A: Most comprehensive programs now include cyberbullying. If yours doesn’t, add digital citizenship curriculum. Modern bullying is often hybrid.

Conclusion: Creating Safe Schools Where All Students Thrive

The transformation we see in “Outnumbered”—where Jack’s classmates move from bystanders to upstanders, where the school becomes a place of safety and belonging—doesn’t happen by chance. It requires committed adults implementing evidence-based programs with fidelity and persistence.

Choosing the right program is crucial but remember:

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Each student who learns to be an upstander, each incident addressed effectively, each parent engaged, each teacher trained—all of these move you toward a school where every child feels safe, valued, and able to learn.

Your students deserve a school where bullying isn’t tolerated, where diversity is celebrated, where conflicts are resolved respectfully, and where every child can thrive. The right anti-bullying program, implemented with commitment and care, makes that vision reality.

Looking for a powerful tool to start conversations about bullying prevention? “Outnumbered” shows students what upstander behavior looks like and demonstrates that together, they can create positive change. Perfect for classroom read-alouds and school-wide initiatives.

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