WRTV Investigates Kara Kenney fights for what's right and holds those in power accountable.
INDIANAPOLIS— A newly released report shows Indiana schools reported a 41% increase in bullying incidents during the 2023-2024 school year.This is the third year in a row Indiana school corporations have reported an uptick in bullying cases.
However, the Indiana Department of Education points out incidents were down during pandemic-impacted school years.Newly released numbers show schools reported 7,700 bullying incidents last school year, a 41% increase from the year before when 5,460 incidents were reported.BREAKDOWN OF 7,700 BULLYING INCIDENTS 3,284 Verbal2,409 Physical789 Social/Relational596 Electronic/Written622 Combination Incidents“The 2023-2024 school year saw an increase across all bullying incident categories, with verbal incidents representing the greatest number of incidents, as is historically the case,” the Indiana Department of Education report read. “This data shows that bullying continues to be a concern in schools across Indiana. Information on how to prevent, respond to, and report incidents of bullying should be reflected in training provided to educators.”IDOE also urged schools to review their bullying policies and procedures.Prompted by a WRTV Investigation that found many Indiana schools reported zero incidents of bullying, in 2018, the Governor signed a new law that allows the Indiana Department of Education to audit schools if parents suspect they’re not being truthful about bullying.PREVIOUS | Governor signs new bullying law after WRTV finds schools misreportedHowever, IDOE has not conducted a single audit since the law took effect in 2018.WRTV Investigates filed a records request for complaints or requests for bullying-related audits, and IDOE said in June 2024 it did not have any records.According to the new report, the Indiana Department of Education has been working to increase compliance with the bullying reporting law and sent frequent reminders to superintendents, principals, school safety specialists and counselors.PREVIOUS | Greenfield family pushes for federal anti-bullying laws“IDOE worked with schools to ensure detailed bullying information was submitted accurately,” read the IDOE report.IDOE also points out that while it has the authority to conduct an audit, it has “no statutory enforcement authority to ensure school corporation reporting compliance.”The Marion County Commission on Youth has advocated for schools to accurately report bullying incidents to the Indiana Department of Education.'It can impact a student's ability to pay attention in class, it can impact their ability to succeed as a student,” said Sarah Kumfer, Public Policy and Advocacy Director at MCCOY in 2023. “Even though we saw an increase, that's not necessarily bad information. It shows schools are actually reporting this.'IDOE created this new Bullying Discrepancy Report Form for you to submit any concerns when it comes to your school’s bullying numbers.Also, a new law took effect July 1, 2023 that requires schools to better inform parents when their child has been involved in a bullying situation.Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, authored HEA 1483 which requires schools to investigate bullying and inform the parents of the victim within three days and the parents of the accused bully within five days.PREVIOUS | Family says 13-year old boy died by suicide suffered relentless bullyingUnder HEA 1483, in extreme cases, the victim or the bully can be transferred to another school at the victim’s request.IDOE has posted a separate document with schools and the number of bullying incidents for 2023-2024, however, there are many schools not listed so WRTV Investigates is working to find out why.
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