Students being bullied at school or on the school bus is troubling, and it’s especially disturbing when the victim is an individual with special needs.

FOX 25 News/myfoxboston.com reported in April that disciplinary action was taken against three students who attend a middle school in Bridgewater, Mass., for bullying a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome while riding a school bus.

As part of their punishment, the students were banned from riding the bus for a week, received two days of out-of-school suspension and one day of in-school suspension. They were also required to write a report on Down syndrome and apologize to their peer.   

This story is posted on SBF’s Breaking News forum and it received several interesting comments. One person wrote, “I particularly like the part about making the kids write a report on Down syndrome. It forces them to seriously think about what they did and to understand the effects of their actions on a person with a disability. The school district I drive in has begun dealing with bus write-ups by having students in some situations write a short-answer essay about bus safety rules and what could happen to a misbehaving student. Punishments aren’t effective unless the child can link the negative consequences to the infraction, and I don't think the length of the suspension would have as much of an effect on that understanding.”

Another person wrote, “I, too, like the fact that they had to write a report on Down syndrome, but I also think the punishment does not fit the crime. If this student was being bullied because of his race or religion, I can guarantee you that the suspension would be much longer. A longer suspension from the bus and from school would send a message to the bullies, their parents and the other students that behavior like this will not be tolerated and is not acceptable. Let’s face it, these kids aren’t in elementary school, they know better. They shouldn’t have to do a report to know that picking on a student like this is wrong. This child was at a disadvantage and these kids jumped right on that. It just disgusts me.”

I think both of these individuals make valid points, and I’m curious what your thoughts are on this issue.

Also, what is your operation’s and/or district’s policy for disciplining students who bully others on school buses? Are students suspended from riding the bus for a period of time, or are additional practices in place as well? Post your comments below or send them to info@schoolbusfleet.com.

Until next time,

Kelly Roher

Senior Editor