Bill would require schools to report student bullying

Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) has introduced a bill to require schools to maintain records of student bullying.

Citing a Department of Health and Human Services statistic that one in three students say they have been bullied at school, Cartwright said the measure would help document how schools manage student bullying. He said it would give students quantifiable data on how well their schools handled bullying, which could be used if cases were taken to court.

{mosads}”There is a need for greater accountability from schools on the issue of bullying. Without accurate reporting, it is difficult to prevent this problem,” Cartwright said.

Under Cartwright’s bill, schools would have to report and maintain records of bullying. Parents would also have the ability to submit complaints to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. 

The National Education Association, one of the largest teachers’ unions in the country, has endorsed the proposal. PFLAG National, which advocates for the LGBT community, has also lent its support.