Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner

About Bullying and Harassment

• Bullying -- conduct that meets one or more of the following criteria: is an act directed at one or more students that is intended to harm or embarrass; is repeated over time; and involves an imbalance of physical, emotional, or social power.
• Harassment -- conduct that meets one or more of the following criteria: is an act directed at one or more students that is received as harmful or embarrassing; is directed at one or more students; substantially interferes with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one or more students; substantially affects the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the school district’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing emotional distress; is based on a student’s actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic, or is based on an association with another person who has or is perceived to have any distinguishing characteristics; is repeated over time – is severe, persistent, and pervasive; causes mental duress, or psychological trauma to the victim
• Cyberbullying -- the use of information and communication technologies, -- such as e-mail, cell phone text or picture messages, instant messaging, and defamatory personal Web sites, social networking sites, and online personal polling sites – to support deliberate, hostile behavior intended to frighten or harm others.