Do anti-bullying programs work?
Since Columbine, many American school districts have declared war on bullying behavior. In response, anti-bullying programs have grown into a veritable industry, with a wide array of training materials to fit every philosophical bent regarding discipline, from the most gentle and nurturing style to the most grueling “tough love” approach. The popular “one strike and you’re out” Zero Tolerance policy has been implemented in many schools to mixed reviews. Critics point to the ever-broadening definition of “offensive and dangerous behavior” and the numerous incidents of students punished for minor or downright ridiculous charges, such as third-grader suspended because his mom packed a plastic butter knife in his lunch bag. (There’s even a website—Zero Tolerance Nightmares—where families can post their accounts of the policy’s misuse.) What’s more, Zero Tolerance gets a failing grade from many researchers who believe that suspending and expelling troublesome students is actually counterpro
