WATERLOO, IOWA -- Some school districts in Iowa are trying a new anti-bullying policy this school year; which will be implemented statewide next year.
According to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa School Districts reported less than 2% of their students had been bullied in any given year since the state passed its anti-bullying law in 2007. The national average is 30% or more.
The law states that school districts must record and report any incident of bullying; and any action the school has taken due to the incident. Administrators have 4 categories to choose from when they record a reason for bullying: physical attributes, race or ethnicity, real or perceived sexual orientation, and other. The pilot policy has 17 categories and includes electronic bullying.
The Associated Press and KTVO in Kirksville contributed to this story.