Topic: Bullying, Antisocial Behavior, School Culture
Target Population: Adolescents, Middle Childhood
Sector: Community-Based, Multi-Sector, School-Based
This program is for elementary, middle, junior high, and high school students (K-12).
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), a school-based program, is designed to decrease and prevent acts of bullying, improve peer relations, and create a safe and positive school culture.
Evaluations of OBPP have demonstrated positive effects in numerous studies. Results of evaluations suggest that program participants are less likely than non-participants to engage in bullying and general antisocial behavior. The most consistent results have come from studies by the program developer; however, most of these studies have been published in edited book volumes and have not been subject to peer review. Results from more recent, peer-reviewed evaluations by the developer in schools in Pennsylvania and in Norway demonstrate positive, sustained effects on being bullied and bullying other students, most notably for younger students. External evaluations published in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated mixed findings related to program effectiveness. Results may vary based on the race/ethnicity, age, and gender of the sample population and the fidelity and length of program implementation.
OBPP uses a comprehensive, school-wide approach to minimize and prevent bullying and create a more positive learning environment for students by rearranging the school environment in ways that decrease opportunities and rewards for bullying behaviors and foster a sense of community. This program uses four levels to disseminate information; the school level is the principal venue, and parent involvement is encouraged at all levels.
A Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee (BPCC), comprised of administrators, teachers, non-teaching staff, and parents, is formed within each school to ensure the program is implemented with fidelity.
Originally developed and evaluated in Norway in 1983, this program has been implemented in more than a dozen countries and in thousands of schools in the United States.
This program is implemented by a school's faculty and staff. Training is recommended, and a 12-hour (i.e., 2-day) training for the school’s BPCC is available. This training is led by a certified Olweus trainer and costs about $3,000 plus travel expenses for the trainer. Technical assistance is available for 12 to 24 months after initial training and costs $125 per hour. Please visit https://olweus.sites.clemson.edu/traininginfo.php for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring school administrative, community, student, and parental buy in; obtaining funds to cover the costs of training and program materials; making time in the current classroom curriculum to complete the components of the program; and ensuring the program is delivered with fidelity .
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing OBPP, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
OBPP is implemented during the school day; implementation time will vary and can depend on participants' ages.
Required program materials include the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, which costs $43.95 for 30 scannable surveys with scanning service; the program guide for BPCC members, which costs $98.95 each; and a teacher guide, which costs $62.95 each. Additional, optional program materials are also available, and prices vary for these items. Please contact Hazelden Publishing by visiting https://www.hazelden.org/store/item/9444 or calling 1-800-328-9000 for more information on materials and costs.
To move OBPP to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one to two external, peer-reviewed evaluations should be published demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion. This study must be conducted independently of the developers.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Safe & Humane Schools by mail Clemson University, IFNL, 321 Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, phone 1-864-656-6712, or visit https://clemsonolweus.org/contact.php
https://olweus.sites.clemson.edu/, https://nationalgangcenter.ojp.gov/spt/Programs/47, https://www.hazelden.org/store/item/9444, https://www.blueprintsprograms.org/programs/11999999/olweus-bullying-prevention-program/print/, https://guidebook.eif.org.uk/programme/olweus-bullying-prevention-programme, and https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/olweus-bullying-prevention-program-obpp/
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