Student Perceptions of School Climate and Lived Bullying Behaviours

The purpose of the current study was to present preliminary results of an impact study of school climate and bullying in Ontario, Canada, following the adoption of Bill 13 – The Accepting Schools Act. Student perceptions of school climate and bullying were examined on the basis of two variables: the perception of elementary and secondary school students in regards to the school climate as well as their perceptions of their lived bullying behaviours in their schools. The goal was to present individual viewpoints (in this first phase, the students), as to their participation in the school setting as well as whether they have been affected by bullying. More specifically, this study examined how students felt in regards to school climate and bullying behaviours that could occur in their schools, in the wake of Bill 13.