University of Kansas researchers are

examining an anti-bullying initiative from Finland that appears to

be more effective than other programs in reducing problems in

schools.

The university says it could test the Finnish program during the

next school year in selected classrooms in Lawrence, then work to

expand it to schools nationally.

Psychology Professor Todd Little says that with other programs,

when anti-bullying interventions are examined, those efforts barely

work to reduce bullying, if at all.

But the Finnish program targets a school’s entire student body,

not just bullies and their victims, using tolls such as classroom

lesson plans, posters, videos, a computer game and role-playing

exercises. The goal of the program is to create an environment in

which bullying isn’t tolerated.