Interviews

Appendix Q

Site Visit Interview Protocol: School Resource Officer (SRO)

U.S. Department of Education State Bullying Laws and Policies Implementation Study

Field Interview Protocol
School Resource Officer (SRO)

The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring a study about bullying in schools. The purpose of the study is to find out how districts and schools are implementing state laws and policies related to bullying. We are asking you to share your observations about bullying among students on your school campus and your experiences responding to bullying situations. [SCHOOL NAME] has been randomly selected as one of 24 school sites nationally to participate in the bullying study. You have been invited to participate in this study because you may be knowledgeable about bullying practices in this district or on this school campus.

POTENTIAL RISKS OR BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

There are no anticipated risks involved in taking part in this study. Participation may not benefit you personally. However, the information gathered in this study may be valuable for developing effective policies for responding to bullying in schools.

CONFIDENTIALITY

We will not share information identifying you or your district with anyone outside of the study team except if required by law. No one in your school or district administration will be told of your responses to interview questions and your responses will not be tied to any review or evaluation of your professional performance. Responses will be summarized in individual case studies for districts and schools to provide examples of policy implementation in a manner that does not associate responses with a specific individual and does not identify a school or district by name.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION/WITHDRAWAL

If you agree to complete the interview, you will be considered a participant in a research study on the implementation of state bullying laws and policies. Your participation in the research study is completely voluntary. You may decide not to join, to only answer some questions, or to leave the study at any time. There is no penalty for choosing not to participate.

U.S. Department of Education State Bullying Laws and Policies Implementation Study

School Resource Officer (SRO) Interview

Respondent Information
Interview Questions			Open-Ended Elaboration
	How long have you worked for the district in this position? Less than one year 1-2 years 3 -4 years 5-9 years 10 years or more
	What are your specific roles and responsibilities with regard to preventing or responding to bullying problems on this school campus or in this school?
	How much time do you spend on bullying issues? [PROBE] Could you give an estimate of approximately what percentage of your time? Less than 5% 5 to 10% 11 to 30% 31 to 50% 51 to 75% More than 75%

Problem Definition
Interview Questions			Open-Ended Elaboration
	Tell me about bullying that happens among students at your school.
	How do you recognize a bullying situation when you see one? What criteria do you use to determine when a conflict between students should be defined as bullying? What challenges do you encounter when determining whether or not an incident constitutes bullying behavior?
	In what ways are bullying behaviors disruptive?
	Where and when does bullying most frequently occur?
	Are there individual students or groups of students in your school who are more vulnerable to bullying? If so, who are these students, and why are they more likely to be targeted?

Development of District Policy and Communication
Interview Questions			Open-Ended Elaboration
	Tell me about the bullying policy at this school.
	Were you or someone from your department involved in developing the bullying policy? Yes, SRO contributed to policy development Yes, other law enforcement representative contributed to policy development No agency involvement in policy development
	How familiar are you with the specific requirements in the policy? Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not very familiar Not at all familiar
	How clearly does the policy communicate expectations for how to respond to bullying incidents?

School Personnel Training
Interview Questions			Open-Ended Elaboration
	Were you or someone from your department involved in developing the bullying training? Yes, SRO contributed to training development Yes, other law enforcement representative contributed to training development No agency involvement in training development

Reporting and Investigations
Interview Questions				Open-Ended Elaboration
	Tell me about your role in responding to bullying situations at this school.
	Does this school have electronic surveillance? Does the surveillance include computer monitoring software?
	If so, how are these tools used?
	If you witness a bullying situation first-hand, how do you intervene? What steps do you take to end the behavior?
	How do you respond when an incident of bullying is reported to you by a student or school employee?
	How do you determine whether an incident should be reported to the school administration? What criteria do you use? Is there a formal reporting procedure?
	Are you required to complete a standardized complaint or reporting form?
	What triggers a formal investigation?
	What is your role in conducting the investigation?
	Are there any steps taken by the school to safeguard victims or witnesses from further bullying or retaliation?
	How are reported incidents resolved?
	Do you maintain formal records of bullying incidents and investigations campus? [If YES] Who receives these reports? How are they used?

Consequences and Law Enforcement Involvement
Interview Questions				Open-Ended Elaboration
	Tell me about the rules or guidelines for reporting to law enforcement when bullying violates a criminal law.
	Has the district or school administration established formal guidelines for referring incidents to law enforcement?
	Is law enforcement reporting mandatory for acts of bullying that may constitute a criminal offense (e.g., possible assault) or does the school have discretion over reporting? Yes, SRO or school administration must report incidents No, reporting is at the discretion of the SRO or school administration
	What are the advantages or disadvantages of mandatory reporting of bullying behavior to outside jurisdictions?
	Is there mandatory parental notification to inform parents that bullying involved a criminal offense? Yes, required parental notification for bullies and victims Yes, required parental notification for bullies only Yes, required parental notification for victims only No parental notification is required

Policy Application and Effectiveness
Interview Questions				Open-Ended Elaboration
	Tell me about some of the challenges associated with implementing the bullying policy in this school?
	[PROBES] What are the particular components or requirements of the policy that are most challenging to put into practice? What is it about these components that makes them challenging? How have you coped with these challenges? What have you done to resolve them in particular cases? What (additional) steps would help you put the policy into practice in your school?
	Are there components or requirements in this school’s bullying policy that stand out as particularly effective in addressing bullying? If yes, what are these components? What makes these components of the policy effective?
	How effective are your school’s bullying policies in reducing bullying problems? [PROBES] Which problems are most effectively addressed? Which problems are least effectively addressed? What specific policy components or requirements contribute most to effectiveness? What specific policy components or requirements contribute the least to effectiveness?
	Have you observed any changes in the school environment since the bullying policy has been implemented? Increased awareness of bullying Increased reporting of incidents Increased consistency of enforcement Improved school climate Reduced frequency of bullying Other: __________________________________________________
	What advice would you give to others schools that are developing bullying policies and programs?
	What kinds of further support could the school or district administration provide to help you deal with bullying more effectively?

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