And children who feel safe learn more. But it requires trust. Trust building requires time and lots of contact. If I were a principal I would want a commitment that sharing would not result in blame. Blame has never been shown to improve results.
Parents working with youth can do a great deal to move the agenda.
Focus groups of youth, not designed for school bashing, can help identify what and where the problems are and what might be done to curb any bullying, intimidation, harassment that may be overlooked by the school staff. Furthermore, we should ask youth how connected they feel to the adults in their school-community. Every child needs a trusting adult to talk to to share concerns. I asked a trusted school person in a high school yesterday if youth seek out teachers and others when worried. He said the kids tell him that there is no one they trust to share these concerns.