The MPAB is funded by a Perkins grant from Maine DOE for 3 years. One goal of this project is to organize and present proven techniques, strategies, methodologies, and programs which support students, schools and communities in addressing the problem of bullying/harassment in children K-4. (We are not looking at upper grades in this project.) Our approach has been research based and systemic. Our methodology and final product(s) will create a framework for upper grade levels to continue this work.

We are currently at the end of year two of the three year grant. Thus far we have put together a working group and have done considerable research on existing resources which we are putting into a database (PDF) which will be one of our products. We have also done a thorough literature review on bullying in schools. Our work has been endorsed by the Maine Children's Trust, Maine Principals Association (MPA) and the Maine School Counselors Association (MESCA). We have done presentations at the MPA and MESCA conferences this school year.

We've conducted a survey of bullying in a 108 Maine schools K-4, with 4500 students. The results of this survey will be made public soon. We are collaborating with the Muskie Institute and University of Southern Maine on this part of the project. It is the primary goal of Maine Project Against Bullying to assist in implementation of best practices in addressing the problem of bullying among children in Maine schools, grades K-4. Toward this end we will be offering training to the 108 schools that participated in the survey beginning in September 1999.

We are also establishing relationships with other statewide anti-violence community initiatives (ie. The Rural Justice Innovation Project, Communities for Children), so that this project will have impact in communities as well as schools.

As you can see the thrust of this effort is preventive. We believe, and the research bears out, that bullying behavior is an antecedent of more serious harassing and antisocial behavior. We also strongly believe that bullying, harassment,and violence are community issues that need a multifaceted, systemic approach that includes all community stake holders. The Maine Project Against Bullying strives to help schools and communities intervene as early as possible. This Project is funded by the Maine Department of Education Office of Affirmative Action through a Carl D. Perkins grant.