FINAL REPORT - INTRODUCTION
The Maine Project Against Bullying is a task force created to address a need educators throughout the state recognized as an area which, had not to date, received adequate attention and study. During Training of Trainer sessions offered by the Gender Equity Division of Vocational Education, via the Maine State Department of Education, consultants Susan Parks and Ed Maroon learned from elementary educators in attendance, that a void existed at the K-4 level to respond to harassment issues evidenced on buses, in hallways, and on playgrounds.
Ms. Parks and Mr. Maroon contacted Chuck Saufler and Cyndi Gagne of the Wiscasset School System to explore grant funding possibilities to examine the elementary level harassment question. Together, Ms. Parks and Mr. Maroon provided names of individuals statewide who had expressed an interest in researching the K-4 equity issues more closely. These individuals were contacted, and a grant application was prepared by Saufler and Gagne to target funds from the Gender Equity Division of Vocational Education. In the Fall of 1997, a Carl D. Perkins Grant, funded for a three year period was awarded, and the first meeting of the Maine Project Against Bullying (MPAB) was held in Waterville, Maine.
Initially, the MPAB took upon the task to research and review available curricula, studies, and other modes of intervention concerning harassment behavior at the elementary level. Early on, the task force recognized the need to distinguish harassment from bullying, and to utilize the latter term to describe the types of behavior(s) exhibited and experienced among students in grades K-4. Over the next three years the original focus of research and review continued, but the task force’s work expanded to include networking with other community, private, and state organizations that had similar interests, development of a web site on the Internet, the creation of a survey suitable for administration to elementary level students to collect baseline data on the extent of bullying behavior within Maine schools, and the provision of regional training to schools statewide who wished to implement intervention programs in an effort to curb bullying within their institutions.
The report that follows details the research currently available, evaluates books, curricula, media materials, and programs. A sample survey instrument is included and may be copied and administered freely to those who wish to utilize it. Results of the survey which was administered in grade three throughout Maine are contained herein, and information to access the MPAB web site is outlined.
The Maine Project Against Bullying has experienced a very productive three year existence. Credit for the work that has been accomplished must be given and shared by numerous individuals, agencies, and organizations, all of whom assisted, guided, and supported the MPAB in its efforts.
First and foremost a thank you must be extended to the Maine State Department of Education employees Susan Parks, Equity Consultant and Ed Maroon, School Based Services Learning Director for their vision and follow-up to the needs voiced by educators they were in contact with. Had they not initiated the grant proposal process with Saufler and Gagne, the work of the MPAB would never have begun. Thanks too, to Leslie (Buzz) Gamble, Education Specialist of Gender Equity and Special Populations who joined in the process of overseeing the project in l998. These three individuals have given of their time, knowledge, and support throughout the years the MPAB was funded.
Perkins Grants are not awarded to individuals or groups; they must be administered by a recognized LEA. Multiple thanks goes to the Augusta School Department for taking this work on and lending knowledge of grantsmanship, reporting, and general administrative support to the MPAB. In particular, Superintendents Graham Nye and Cornelia Brown have overseen the fiscal progress of the MPAB. Pam Kenoyer, Director of the Capital Area Technical Center, paved the way for setting up accounts, bookkeeping, reporting, and supply procurement with ease. Nancy Peabody and Jennifer Simpson put in many hours making sure the MPAB received all that it required for supplies and helped track the various expenditures. Their administrative assistance made the Project run smoothly.
When the MPAB decided that baseline data on the bullying problems within Maine Elementary schools would be useful, the resulting survey, its distribution, and the dissemination of reports would not have been possible without the support and work provided by the Institute for Public Sector Innovation, part of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, of the University of Southern Maine. A special heartfelt thank you is extended to Michel Lahti, Evaluation Manager; Donna Cote, Administrative Associate; and Melody Saffron, Administrative Associate. Your long hours, consistent efforts on the behalf of the Project, and constant support are so very appreciated.
A thank you needs also to be extended to Dick Tyler and the staff of the Maine Principal’s Association for identifying the elementary schools and contact people throughout Maine and, for provision of the labels needed to accomplish several mailings concerning the survey to assess bullying in Maine at the K-4 level.
A very special thank you and acknowledgment is extended to Dr. David Silvernail and his research associates A. Mavourneen Thompson, Holly J.P. Kopp, Scott Brezovsky, and Paula Gravelle from the Center for Educational Policy, Applied Research and Evaluation at the University of Southern Maine. Dr. Silvernail assisted in guiding the MPAB in their survey development, lent his knowledge on research via questionnaires to the Project’s efforts, oversaw the data analysis, and the publication of the survey results presented later in this overview. Our ability to speak to the problem of bullying, as it exists within Maine schools would not have been possible without these individuals’ expertise and work. Thank you!
All groups, especially those meeting on Saturdays, need a place to hold their get togethers. The MPAB was lucky to find the Bath Police Department and the Wiscasset Primary School willing to open their doors to us. Thank you for your hospitality!
Last, but not in the least, least...thank you to the people that comprised the MPAB task force, giving of their Saturdays, their energy, and their knowledge. Thank you for caring about the quality of climate in Maine elementary schools, and being optimistic in believing our work could make a difference in the life of a child.
The MPAB task force membership included:
Special recognition goes to Deborah Barrows for creating the MPAB web page and keeping track of all our evaluation efforts; Colleen Graffam for providing the art work for the Project’s logo; Susan Russell for developing the extensive bibliography; Wendy Harrington and Sarah Wills-Viega for creating the outline for presentations given in public forums and at trainings; Chuck Saufler for his quality leadership and networking skill and, to Cyndi Gagne, for making all the arrangements for meetings, meals, billing, grant writing and reporting for the Project. Insight gained into the problem of bullying within Maine Elementary schools and review of numerous publications and media materials was possible only because the MPAB had the sound experience of the following educators: Counselors - Connell-Duncan, Stitchenko, and Curtis; Principal - Kirkpatrick; Teachers - Blanchette, Graffam, and Gregoire; and, Superintendent, Sperry. Thank you one and all!!
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