Bullying & Cyberbullying

Defining Bullying

Texas Education Code (TEC 37.0832) identifies bullying as a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student(s) that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means or physical conduct and that:

• has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging student’s property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;
• is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student; 
• materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school, or infringes on the rights of the victim at school.

Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social or educational harm (Gladden et. Al., 2014, p. 7) Senate Bill (SB) 179, “David’s Law” expanded authority to school districts to address cyberbullying off-campus and outside of school-related or school sponsored activities based on specific criteria.

Princeton ISD prohibits bullying, including cyberbullying, as defined by state law as stated in Board Policy FFI (Local). Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited. Examples of retaliation may include threats, rumor spreading, ostracism, assault, destruction of property, unjustified punishments, or unwarranted grade reductions. Unlawful retaliation does not include petty slights or annoyances.