What Is Bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others
may have serious, lasting problems.
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or
popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they
involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
What are the policy requirements for schools to
prevent and respond to bullying behavior?

Georgia school districts must adopt a policy that prohibits bullying of a

student by another student. School district policies must contain key policy
and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:
Requirements that the district bullying policy be included in the student code
of conduct;
Requirements that a student in grades 6 through 12 who has committed the
offense of bullying for the third time in a school year be assigned to an
alternative school;
Statements of how the policy will be publicized within the district; and
Requirements to notify the parent or guardian upon finding that a student has
committed an offense of bullying or is a victim of bullying.
Georgia school districts may additionally adopt components of the state
model bullying policy, including statements prohibiting bullying and retaliation
following a bullying report, reporting and investigation procedures, and
consequences for bullying, including disciplinary actions or counseling, as
appropriate. Georgia school districts that are not in compliance with the
required components of the bullying policy are ineligible for state funding.