AFT’s Weingarten on Hillary Clinton’s ‘Better than Bullying’ Plan

WASHINGTON—In response to today’s release by Hillary Clinton of her “Better than Bullying” plan, AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement:

“Educators know firsthand that bullying takes a real, severe toll on students, especially students with disabilities, LGBTQ students, students of color and others who are vulnerable or historically marginalized. Public schools should be safe and welcoming places for the students who come there to learn and for the educators and other adults who work to make a difference in students’ lives.

“This election cycle—with candidates like Donald Trump using the currency of hate, fear and marginalization—has made combating bullying a more urgent issue. Trump is a bully’s bully, and the consequences of his actions will last far beyond Nov. 8. Hillary Clinton gets this, and her ‘Better than Bullying’ plan demonstrates her understanding of the need for comprehensive and long-term solutions.

“‘Better than Bullying’ will give states the incentive to develop comprehensive anti-bullying plans, and it will provide parents, educators, school staff and communities with the resources and skills they need to prevent bullying and to support those who experience bullying.

“This comprehensive plan includes support for professional development for educators and other school employees, recognizes the important role of school counselors and wraparound services, and rightly acknowledges both the need to prioritize school climate as part of implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act and the importance of bullying prevention in creating and maintaining positive and constructive school climates.

“Schools need this kind of comprehensive support now more than ever. AFT members are reporting a troubling increase in bullying behavior in schools nationwide thanks to the toxic rhetoric of the Trump campaign. Educators are actually calling it the ‘Trump Effect,’—and it’s going to take time and hard work to heal the wounds it has inflicted.

“These reports have prompted the AFT to ramp up its long-standing efforts to provide teachers and school staff with the resources they need to make our schools safe and welcoming places for all students. From our ‘See a Bully, Stop a Bully’ campaign, to our ever-expanding bullying prevention resource hub on our Share My Lesson website, to our time-tested professional development programs, to working with groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League and Not In Our School, the AFT is committed to combating bullying in schools. We appreciate that Hillary Clinton understands the importance of tackling bullying, and we look forward to partnering with the next president of the United States on an even more comprehensive approach to addressing bullying and other school climate issues.”