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Education.com and AASA Launch Free, Cutting-Edge Bullying Resources for Parents
Special Edition on Bullying at School and Online includes latest research conducted by world-renowned experts,
plus 10 actions parents can take to help reduce bullying.
REDWOOD CITY, CA – November 19, 2008 – Education.com, a leading web destination for parents of school-
aged children, and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the professional organization for
school system leaders, today launched a Special Edition on Bullying at School and Online. This powerful resource,
created in partnership with Guest Editors Dr. Shelley Hymel and Dr. Susan Swearer, co-directors of the Bullying
Research Network, and corporate sponsor Symantec, makers of Norton security software, provides new information
and tools to help parents take an active role in addressing bullying.
In creating the Special Edition on Bullying at School and Online, Education.com and AASA worked with
contributors from around the world to compile new evidence-based, peer-reviewed content to dispel common myths
and empower parents and their children to take effective action against bullying. The result is a collection of over
30 original cutting-edge reference articles, plus video clips, quizzes, online workshops, community forums and
quick-fact lists that are all available free-of-charge on the website. A highlight of the content is a list – developed
using research findings reported in the Special Edition – of 10 actions parents can take to help address bullying.
The list suggests parents spend time at their child’s school, learn the signs that a child is being bullied, and establish
household rules about bullying. The complete list can be found at
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Ten_Actions_Parents.
Guest Editor Dr. Shelley Hymel, world-renowned researcher on the subject of bullying and peer victimization,
explains the importance of the Special Edition on Bullying, “Bullying robs kids of the chance to make the most of
their potential. The latest research unequivocally shows that bullying has serious and long-term effects not only on
victims, but also on children who bully and those who witness bullying, including depression, anxiety, social
phobias and even criminal behavior. Equally concerning is the fact that more than half of our children and youth
report involvement in bullying as a victim or perpetrator at least on occasion. But there is hope – especially if
parents, teachers and administrators work together. In our work together, Education.com, AASA, and Symantec are
able to bring parents and educators the very latest research about bullying as well as our best advice about how they
can intervene in informed and effective ways. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our children.”
AASA Executive Director Dr. Daniel Domenech explained AASA’s decision to get involved in Education.com’s
Special Edition on Bullying at School and Online. “Unfortunately, bullying is something that every administrator in
every school in our country faces. No one is immune – kids of every race, gender, grade and socio-economic sector
are impacted. We know we can’t solve this problem without the partnership of parents. Bullying at school affects
and is affected by what happens at home between siblings, what happens in the neighborhood, and what happens
when kids go online. The information and tools in the Special Edition are groundbreaking and we’re thrilled to be
involved in making sure they’re distributed to schools and parents nationwide.”
Symantec Internet Safety Advocate Marian Merritt remarked on the company’s sponsorship of the Special Edition
on Bullying at School and Online. “While the Internet is a fantastic resource for school-aged children, unfortunately
it’s also a new arena for risky and dangerous behavior, including bullying. Like Education.com, Symantec is
committed to giving parents the information they need to educate kids about safe online behavior, and the tools they
need to intervene. We’re excited to be part of the Special Edition project which we believe will empower both
parents and kids to address the challenging issue of bullying at school and online.”
About Education.com
Education.com provides parents of school-aged children free access to information and resources to give them
answers they need about raising and educating their children – plus activities designed to make learning together
more fun for everyone. Often called “The WebMD of education”, the company has teamed up with leading
universities, non-profits, and research organizations to offer highly credible parenting, developmental, and
educational information. The site also offers printable activities, discussion boards, access to best-of-breed
educational services, and SchoolFinder – a tool that gives parents comprehensive data on the nation’s 125,000
public, private and charter schools. Education.com was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Redwood City,
CA. The company is backed by leading venture capital firms, Azure Capital Partners, TeleSoft Partners, and
California Technology Ventures. For more information, please visit www.education.com.
About AASA
The American Association of School Administrators, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than
13,000 educational leaders across the United States. AASA members range from chief executive officers,
superintendents and senior-level school administrators to cabinet members, professors and aspiring school system
leaders. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest
quality public education for all children. AASA’s major focus is standing up for public education. For more
information, please visit www.aasa.org.
About Symantec
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and
organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more
risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored.
More information is available at www.symantec.com .
About BRNET
BRNET was founded in 2005 by Drs. Susan Swearer and Shelly Hymel and supported by the College of Education
and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (http://cehs.unl.edu) The mission of the Bullying
Research Network (BRNET) is to serve as a virtual clearinghouse to support national and international research
initiatives in effective bullying prevention and intervention. The central objective is to unite researchers in bullying
prevention and intervention in order to further our understanding of the complex social ecology underlying bullying
dynamics. BRNET members engage in web-based dialogue about cutting-edge methodologies and strategies, apply
for extramural research grants and contracts; implement exemplary, evidence-based models in field settings; and
disseminate this information to educators, students, and parents. For more information, please visit
http://brnet.unl.edu