Despite bullying problem, few Southcoast Massachusetts schools have disciplined offenders

While one third of middle and high school students report being the victim of cyberbullying, Fall River Reporter has found that some local school districts have zero reports of students being disciplined for bullying.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) collects data from school districts across the Commonwealth each school year for things such as graduation rates, teacher salaries and class size. Yearly statistics also include student discipline, including specific issues including threats and sexual assaults. The number of students disciplined for bullying is also documented.

The School Safety and Discipline Report (SSDR) collects information on all drug, violent and criminal offenses that occur on school property, as well as the discipline action (suspensions, removals, expulsions) served by the student offender. Non-drug, non-violent and non-criminal offenses that result in the student offender being removed from class or school are also collected.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 14% of public schools report that bullying is a discipline problem occurring daily or at least once a week. Reports of bullying are highest in middle schools (28%) followed by high schools (16%), combined schools (12%), and primary schools (9%).

Reports of cyberbullying are highest in middle schools (33%) followed by high schools (30%), combined schools (20%), and primary schools (5%).

Despite those staggering numbers, Fall River Reporter has found that some local school districts have zero reports of students being disciplined for bullying.

The DESE 2022-2023 Student Discipline Data Report for local school districts shows that Somerset, Swansea, Westport and Fairhaven have zero reported students disciplined for bullying. Freetown-Lakeville has one reported student, Fall River has four, New Bedford has five and Dartmouth Public School have 11 documented students disciplined for bullying.

Somerset Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Fall River Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Swansea Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

New Bedford Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Westport Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Freetown Lakeville Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Dartmouth Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

Fairhaven Public Schools 2022-2023 Data on Reported Discipline for Bullying

According to Care.com, anti-bullying policies do not equate to less bullying and with cyber-bullying taking place outside of schools, it’s harder for schools to track and hold students accountable.

If your child is experiencing, consider visiting the official website for the United States Government for resources for you and your child here.