Michigan Civil Rights Commission Bullying Hearings

Michigan schools, and school districts, are doing a very thorough job of measuring student development in the classroom.

But many in the state are concerned they’re not doing as good a job tracking students’ social development — especially when it comes to bullying.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission recently held public hearings on bullying in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Tuesday, they had one at NMU.

Area superintendents, school principals and many other residents were there to listen and to testify.

Michigan Department of Civil Rights executive director Dr. Daniel Krichbaum says about 36,000 Michigan kids reported frequent school bullying last year, and he thinks that at least that many kids experience it regularly but don’t report it.

The commission thinks the Internet is accelerating the problem.

The group will recommend solutions using the testimony people give.

One of those?

New anti–bullying laws.

Dr. Krichbaum says there are two anti-bullying bills in the state legislature right now.

The testimony included some from high school students at North Star Academy, among others.

You can also submit written testimony by e–mail through Thursday.

Send it to: millerj13@michigan.gov .