Program Effectiveness Data

The Bully Free^® Program is used throughout the United States. Materials from the program is used in over twelve countries. The effectiveness data described below has been published as a chapter in the following book and in the dissertation listed below:

• Beane, Allan, Miller, Thomas W. and Spurling, Rick.. “The Bully Free^® Program: A Profile for Prevention in the School Setting” (Book Chapter published in School Violence and Primary Prevention (2008), Thomas W. Miller (Editor), Springer Science + Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York. Pages 391-406.
• Spurling, Rick. (Dec. 2004)). The Bully-Free School Zone Character Education Program: A Study of the Impact on Five Western North Carolina Middle Schools (Dissertation). East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.

The program was selected by the Oklahoma Department of Education, Division of Special Education Services to be piloted in thirteen sites over a two year period. Therefore, in May, 2011, more effectiveness data will be available. At that time, model school sites will be selected.

The program is based on scientific research and includes scientifically proven strategies and curriculum. Prior to developing the program, Bully Free^® Systems, LLC carefully conducted an analysis of the current research on the topic and related topics (i.e., promoting acceptance, hate, prejudice, discrimination, peer rejection, conflict, anger, behavior management, violence, assimilation, sense of community, school climate, etc.) and effective instructional practices. Current educational standards were also analyzed.

Research was conducted to develop an appropriate scope and sequence of the knowledge and skills to be learned. The administrative and teacher focused strategies and the curriculum were developed and tested through problem-solving teacher and administrator focus groups as well in a variety of school settings. Since 1999, teachers and other professionals have reported the educational effectiveness of the materials and resources included in the Bully Free^® Program. The newest program component, 660 Bully Free^® Lesson Plans, which include over 30 lesson plans per grade level from preschool through high school, were field tested in 23 schools and have been used by counselors and teachers. The effectiveness of the Bully Free^® Program has been evaluated using scientific research methodology. The research methods have been adequate to test the stated hypotheses and justify the conclusions drawn. The latest design and implementation of empirical methods were overseen by Dr. Clete Bulach, a third-party evaluator with over fourteen years of program evaluation experience. He is CEO of the Professional Development and Assessment Center, Villa Rica, Georgia. Dr. Bulach’s credentials are detailed at www.westga.edu/~cbulach/. Each school adopting the program also had an internal evaluator.

The effectiveness of the program has been evaluated by using widely recognized reliable and valid quantitative and qualitative methods that involve rigorous data analysis. For example, reliable (.91) surveys have been used to collect quantitative data. Pre- and post-program existing data (i.e., attendance, expulsions, suspensions, detentions, vandalism, test scores, aggressive occurrences, etc.) were also examined. Qualitative and continuous assessment methods such as focus groups (interviews) with principals, assistant principals, teachers, counselors, students and parents have been used to collect information about the implementation, quality, and effectiveness of the Bully Free Program.

The following is descriptive of data collected thus far:
 

In 2004, Dr. Rick Spurling, an Assistant Superintendent in North Carolina, tested the effectiveness of the Bully Free^® Program in five (5) western North Carolina Middle schools (grades 5-8). The following summary of his findings reflects the variety of areas that can be impacted by the Bully Free^® Program. Please keep in mind that the program was implemented at a minimal level in the five middle schools. The program is now much more comprehensive and includes over thirty lesson plans at each grade level (preschool-high school). Therefore, it can be expected to have an even greater impact.