No Place for Bullying
Leadership for Schools That Care for Every Student
- James Dillon - Measurement Incorporated, USA
Foreword by Kevin Jennings
- Explains why most anti-bullying efforts fail
- Offers professional development strategies for equipping school staff to implement anti-bullying policies
- Includes information on how to assess and improve overall school climate
- Describes how to involve all members of the school community, including parents
The book also provides additional useful information such as how to deliver effective presentations to get buy-in from community members and staff, how to collect and analyze data, and sample forms, online video clips, and case studies. An essential tool for any school leader, No Place for Bullying provides more than just the policies and the forms to implement an anti-bullying program—it provides the tools for inspiring the cultural shift necessary to truly combat bullying in schools.
“The book is outstanding. It walks you through the complexity of the issue and gives practical ways to implement the process through staff training activities.”
“Just in time! No Place for Bullying is an outstanding example of what is good in education today. This educational toolkit responds to a growing concern for the safety and protection of all students and their rights.”
"I commend the author for compiling this resource along with the activities within. Bullying happens in most schools, and the knowledge, skills, and applications included in this text will be a great addition to the other resources available on bullying. The activities included are powerful and can be difference makers when trying to change behavior with a variety of stakeholders. WOW!!!"
"There are many shifts and changes in education that take up a great deal of our time as instructional leaders. But what we all must remember is that students cannot learn in an environment that is not safe. In his book, No Place for Bullying: Leadership for Schools That Care for Every Student James Dillon (2012) states, “When in doubt, remind yourself and your colleagues about what really matters: having even one student walk through the school day a little less afraid and more hopeful than the day before” (p. 29).
I was impressed by his organization of the book into the three keys to school climate and culture; the Will, the Skill, and the Follow Through (Infrastructure). He discusses difficulties a school leader may face while trying to find solutions to the problem of bullying. His suggestions for how to overcome those difficulties include multiple approaches that could be used in any situation.
Dillon’s approach is very administrator-friendly. He provides all the tools to begin formulating a plan with staff for addressing bullying. Each chapter begins with background information based on current research, a summary, and activities to do with staff. The activities are engaging with most using video clips as discussion starters. Most of the activities in the “Will” section of the book could be used to open discussion on any topic, not just bullying.
His background as a school administrator is evident in the book. His recommendations are practical and help put into perspective how the approach of the school leader can have a deep impact on the success of any bullying prevention program. He also addresses many of the issues we all face when trying to get staff on board for a new or changing initiative."
"This book looks at the paradigm shifts that must occur for school-wide bullying programs to be effectively implemented by school administrators. Scores of issues are addressed like the blind spot in bullying prevention, programs and practices, ethical ramifications and solutions. In addition to an appendix of bullying prevention resources, No Place for Bullying also includes an extensive list of references and a well-organized index.
The author of No Place for Bullying is an educator with 35 years of experience - 10 of them in the role of school administrator. While the book contains useful information for school administrators, No Place for Bullying has a decidedly American slant. Information is presented with an eye to legal and political ramifications. Despite those limitations, school administrators and those searching for extensive research on bullying prevention may find this book highly informative."
