While there are emotional and physical tolls when it comes to bullying at school, there’s an often over-looked financial impact as well.
According to a study by the National Education Association more than 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of being bullied. And statistics compiled by The National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2011 show the average public school can lose $2.3 million in funding and expenses as a result of lower attendance and disciplinary needs.
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Wallet Hub recently released its findings looking at the prevalence of bullying in our schools. The August 2016 report examined 45 states along with the District of Columbia and focused on 17 key metrics, including “bullying incident rate” to “truancy costs for schools.”
Overall Wallet Hub ranked Kansas 29th and Missouri 21st.
Among the various categories Kansas was among the states where fewer high school students missed school due to a fear of being bullied. Louisiana and South Carolina tied for the worst.
When it comes to bullying prevalence at school Missouri ranked 8th in the Wallet Hub study – near the top of the list. Kansas ranked 18th.
These days, however, school districts are making the problem of bullying a priority – whether it’s on school grounds, outside of school or the growing issue of cyberbullying. Many are utilizing new apps that allow students to report bullying incidents immediately and anonymously.
RELATED | KCPS designing anti-bullying program
Kansas state law currently bans bullying on school property, buses, at school sponsored events and online.
In Missouri if a student gets in a fight or gets into trouble for bullying he or she could now get arrested and face a felony charge.
That new law took effect January 1.
