Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Education

Advisor

Deanna H. Boddie

Abstract

Public awareness of the negative impact of bullying on adolescents has increased due to social networking and news media reports. Prior research on bullying has focused on the prevalence of bullying in public schools, yet few studies have explored teacher intent, constructive or punitive, and teacher involvement in incidents of bullying. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine teacher intent and teacher involvement in responding to student bullying. The conceptual framework was based on Bandura's social learning theory and Marshall et al.'s conceptual model of teacher intent and involvement. The central research question asked how teacher intent and involvement are impacted by state, district and school antibullying policies. This multiple case study included two middle schools, one in the Pacific region and one in the Midwest region of the United States. Participants in each case included 3 Grade 7 and 3 Grade 8 teachers. Data were collected from multiple sources, including teacher interviews, reflective journals, and state, district, and school documents. Single case analysis involved open and axial coding and category construction. Cross-case analysis involved the constant comparative method to determine emerging themes and discrepancies. Key findings indicated that state and district policies and procedures positively impact teacher intent and involvement. Teacher participants reported their intent to follow school procedures by responding to bullying incidents with constructive interventions to resolve conflicts. Teacher involvement was constructive and direct. This study contributes to positive social change by providing educators and policymakers with a deeper understanding of how to promote learning environments free from intimidation and violence.

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