NASHVILLE – Tennessee schools had 7,555 reported cases of bullying last year, according to a new report from the state Department of Education.
Nearly 73 percent or 5,478 of the cases were confirmed after investigation.
Sex or gender-based bullying accounted for the highest number of cases _ 695 instances or 9.2 percent of the total, according to the report. Not far behind were cases involving “use of electronic technology” with 564 instances or 7.47 percent.
In another 168 cases or 2.2 percent of the total bullying involved students with disabilities.
State officials are now required to compile the report under a 2012 law sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta.