Several violent incidents at schools recently made headlines. But a new study by The Department of Public Instruction shows Wisconsin high schoolers are reporting less violence now than their counterparts did 15 years ago. According to the survey, the percentage of youth fighting and carrying a weapon in the school went from 9 percent to 4 percent between 1993 to 2007. Reports of a student carrying a weapon in the community went from 19 percent in 1993 to 13 percent in 2007. Reports of students fighting dropped from 16 percent in 1993 to 11 percent in 2007. Despite the decrease in violence, one out of five high schoolers reported being bullied and one-half of students fell that bullying is a problem at their school.
Steve Fernan, Prevention and Wellness specialist with the D.P.I, says they collaborate with the Office of Justice Assistance for training conferences in dealing with bullying. Fernan says the department has guidelines for teachers and school counselors to identify bullying communication, as well as uniform policies in dealing with it.
