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Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said Wednesday that Minnesota's bullying law needs a definition of bullying and more accountability.


In an interview with MPR News, Cassellius elaborated on a statement she issued Tuesday in response to an MPR News investigation into bullying policies. That investigation found Minnesota's weak state law is silent in many areas where researchers say a clear state voice is needed.

Cassellius said she would start by seeking a definition of bullying in the law, "and more strength, in terms of reporting; being able to address how we should intervene in schools; and then how we should hold ourselves accountable; and how we report out to parents."

Cassellius also told superintendents in a conference call Wednesday that she supports the work they're doing on bullying, but wants them to give her input on improvements.

"It's not that we don't know what to do; it's that we have to do it. And have the political and personal courage to stand up for our children so we have safe and welcoming environments for them," she said.


MPR's investigation found bullying is largely left to districts to figure out in Minnesota, which creates a patchwork of policies from district to district. More than two dozen don't use the word "bullying" in their policies. 


In other cases, some districts fold bullying into their policies on harassement, but researchers and legal experts say "bullying" and "harassment" should not be used interchangably because they mean different things and carry a separate set of legal consequences. Minnesota's law does not clarify the difference, something Cassellius says should happen in a way that's also communicated to parents and students.


MPR News also found nearly a third of districts don't address online, or cyberbullying in their bullying policies, as required by law. 


Cassellius said that might be the result of districts noting cyberbullying in other policies, like those on computer usage or student discipline, but she said districts should be clear about where the cyberbullying policy is. "Have it stand out," she added.


For Cassellius, bullying took on a personal tone last year when her third grade son was bullied at school, an episode she said filled her family with anxiety. Her son even begged to be home-schooled, she said.

Because of her role as a school district administrator, Cassellius said she usually defers to her husband in terms of addressing school officials when there's a problem. In this case, though, she said she went to the principal, who she said was "terrific" in handling the problem.

"I think students don't understand the full impact of words. My grandmother always taught me that when you pick up mud to throw on someone, you get dirty first. I'm not sure we're teaching our children those lessons."

BRENDA CASSELLIUS' FULL STATEMENT ON BULLYING

Gallery

MPR News investigation: Minnesota lacks strong bullying law, state oversight

Breaking the law? One-third of districts don't include cyber-bullying in policies

Minnesota law leaves bullying policies up to districts

To prevent bullying, what schools do often more important than policy

Bullying in schools through the eyes of teens

Tom Weber

Author

Minnesota's Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said Wednesday that Minnesota's bullying law needs a definition of bullying and more accountability.

Minn. education commissioner responds to bullying investigation

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