Bullying is a significant issue in schools and in the lives of students. By definition, bullying is unwanted and repeated aggressive and intentionally harmful behavior involving a perceived or real imbalance of power among school age youth. Bullying that occurs during students' years in school can result in school absenteeism, academic…

This article addresses the question of how theatre interventions as elements of a participatory and action-oriented research design can contribute to justice-oriented Caring Community processes. Caring Communities are local initiatives that strengthen everyday solidarity through civic engagement and neighbourhood support, link informal and formal…

B. F. Skinner's work in the field of verbal behaviour represented a movement of global significance. However, in today's age, even those who appreciate its profound importance in the archives of psychology accept that it did not sufficiently account for complex human language. Recent advances in psychological science have led to the emergence of a…

The presence of trans students is becoming more commonplace in both urban and rural school settings, yet schools remain unprepared and inconsistent in their approach to supporting trans students. In many schools, trans youth must advocate for themselves (Horton, 2022), because schools are not prepared for their arrival. Most schools, in fact,…

Student absenteeism profoundly impacts academic achievement, emotional well-being, and social development. The root causes of absenteeism are diverse, encompassing personal struggles, family responsibilities, social pressures, and unengaging or unsupportive school environments. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach,…

After months or years of remote and hybrid learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students are benefiting from increased socialization, improved access to services, and a return to their regular routines. For some students, being back in school may mean returning to an environment in which they were bullied. This brief provides an overview of the…

Questions about the social and moral importance of empathy have garnered much debate in recent years. On the one hand, critics of empathy have pointed out its susceptibility to morally troubling biases and group preferences. On the other hand, proponents of empathy maintain that empathy is a motivated response that can be trained and developed to…

Ample evidence suggests that PK-12 students experience racism and other forms of discrimination in school and that these experiences have a deleterious impact on their mental health. Several studies have shown a consistent and strong relationship between racism and negative mental health outcomes including increased depression and anxiety,…

Dan Olweus pioneered research on school bullying and identified the importance of, and risk factors associated with, bullying and victimization. In this paper, we conduct a narrative review of the critical notion of power within bullying. Specifically, we discuss Olweus's definition of bullying and the role of a power imbalance in distinguishing…

Implementation of a culturally responsive positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework is associated with positive outcomes for secondary students when implemented schoolwide. Yet, educators often report more implementation challenges in secondary school as compared to elementary school settings. Difficulties obtaining student…

Aim: Educational practitioners are increasingly aware of trauma experiences in students as a factor in child disturbance and schooling problems. This discussion paper aims to clarify definitions of trauma and differentiate them from other adverse childhood experiences (ACE), describe trauma impact in terms of clinical outcomes (PTSD, emotional and…

Tier 2 intervention is defined by the application of brief, efficient, and accessible supports for students who are at risk for social-emotional and behavioral concerns. Historically, Tier 2 interventions have been delivered in accordance with a standard protocol, with each student receiving the same general strategy in an undifferentiated manner.…

For decades, the fields of early childhood intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) have been promoting child participation in naturally occurring family and classroom activities and routines as the context for intervention and the use of caregiver coaching as a capacity-building, family-centered interaction style. The…

Bullying varies in frequency, intensity, duration and hence severity, and contributes uniquely and directly to mental health problems, with severe and long-lasting consequences. Almost a half of school-age students report being bullied in the past year. All school staff, especially school counsellors, are uniquely positioned to reduce student…

The 2022 Legislature required OSPI to promote survivor-centered and trauma-informed responses to sexual assault and to support survivors of sexual assault in Washington's K-12 public schools. OSPI partnered with a contractor to research best practices, review mandatory reporting laws, conduct listening sessions, update model protocols, and develop…