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• By Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., and Tionna Ryan, J.D. • IDRA Newsletter • February 2026 •

During Black History Month, we reflect on the ongoing struggle to ensure that all children are treated with dignity, protected from harm and afforded equal educational opportunity. That history reminds us that safe and welcoming schools do not happen by chance. They are built through clear policies, strong accountability and leadership committed to protecting every student.

We particularly honor school districts that are taking action to prevent and address identity-based bullying and harassment.

School Districts Take Action

Round Rock ISD demonstrated leadership in May 2024 as the first district to adopt a comprehensive policy to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment in its schools (IDRA 2024). The policy explicitly provides protections for students targeted for identity-based bullying, sending a strong message to students, families and educators that all students deserve dignity and belonging in school. IDRA developed the model policy used by the district and made available through IDRA’s SEEN Model Policy Shop, a resource designed for advocates and allies to implement education policy within their communities.

In January 2026, the Judson ISD board of trustees took the important step of forming an ad hoc committee to review its bullying prevention and response policies. Responding to student, family and community concerns, the district has committed to assessing school climate data and updating bullying and discipline policies to prevent and effectively address bullying, cyberbullying and harassment.

“As a parent whose child experienced bullying, cyberbullying and harassment in Judson ISD, I know how quickly a child’s sense of safety can disappear and how heartbreaking that is to witness,” said Judson ISD parent Laura Wickwire.

She continued: “Safety should be predictable, immediate and transparent for every student, not something families have to fight for. Families need clear expectations, consistent responses and confidence that when they make a report, the school will respond appropriately.”

The ad hoc committee begins its work this month by soliciting student, staff and community feedback through the district’s student health advisory committee.

“Parents often don’t feel heard; They don’t know where to go; They get emails, but the emails send them to the wrong place, and all of it is confusing,” said Judson ISD Trustee Laura Stanford at the board’s January meeting.

She added: “The [committee] will look at current polices and surveys and identify the weak areas in our system. If there’s some way that we can help mitigate the discipline problem that we have and where it breaks out into very uncomfortable and unsafe situations for students in classrooms, we certainly want to do that because, ultimately, it affects teaching and academic performances if students are not feeling safe and comfortable in the classroom.”

Safe and welcoming schools do not happen by chance. They are built through clear policies, strong accountability and leadership committed to protecting every student.

National Data Show Why Action is Critically Needed

Such school district actions are critical as federal civil rights data show that race-based harassment and bullying remain a serious concern in U.S. public schools and that Black students are disproportionately targeted.

Black students made up roughly 15% of K-12 enrollment but accounted for about 37% of students who reported being harassed or bullied because of their race (OCR, 2023).

The most recent FBI Hate Crimes Report showed that, in the five years between 2018 and 2022, Black students reported experiencing a total of 1,690 hate crimes at schools. That’s nearly double the amount of reported hate crimes targeted at all other students combined (934) (FBI, 2024).

One in four students experienced bullying that was based on their religion, national origin, race, disability or sex, frequently referred to as “identity-based bullying” (GAO, 2021). Race continues to be the leading identity factor for students experiencing identity-based bullying (GAO, 2021).

Reports of bullying on the basis of race comprised nearly one-third of all harassment allegations, underscoring persistent disparities in how students experience school climate and safety (OCR, 2023).

These decades-old patterns underscore the urgent need for clear, enforceable district policies that specifically address identity-based bullying and ensure timely, transparent responses when harm happens.

IDRA applauds Judson ISD and Round Rock ISD for their efforts to strengthen their policies. We urge all school districts to follow their example by adopting clear, research-based protections that prevent harm, promote transparency, and center the voices of students and families.

Every child deserves to learn in an environment where their safety is predictable, their dignity is protected and their humanity is affirmed. Black History Month reminds us that progress requires action. Now is the time for school districts to strengthen their policies and ensure that all students are safe, respected and free to thrive.

To learn more and support your school community in taking action to address bullying and harassment, visit https://idraseen.org/identity-based-bullying.

Resources

FBI. (January 2024). Reported Hate Crime at Schools: 2018-2022. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

GAO. (November 2021). Students’ Experiences with Bullying, Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Victimization in Schools. U.S. Government Accountability Office.

IDRA. (May 17, 2024). Texas School District Takes Action to Prevent Identity-based Bullying in Schools – Statement by IDRA, Round Rock ISD, Black Parents and Families Collective, and Access Education RRISD.

OCR. (November 2023). A First Look: Students’ Access to Educational Opportunities in U.S. Public Schools. 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection. Office for Civil Rights.

Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., is IDRA’s chief legal analyst (paige.duggins-clay@idra.org). Tionna Ryan, J.D., is a Texas Law Postgraduate Public Interest Fellow hosted by IDRA (tionna.ryan@idra.org).

FAQs

What is identity-based bullying?

Identity-based bullying refers to harassment targeting a student’s race, religion, national origin, disability, gender or other protected identity. Federal data show one in four students experience this type of bullying.

Why are school district bullying policies important?

Clear policies establish how schools prevent, investigate and respond to bullying. Strong policies improve accountability, transparency and student safety.

What do national data show about race-based bullying?

Black students represent about 15% of enrollment but account for roughly 37% of students reporting race-based harassment. FBI data also show disproportionate hate crimes targeting Black students.

How can districts strengthen bullying prevention?

Districts can adopt research-based policies that explicitly prohibit identity-based bullying, require transparent reporting, and include student and family input in policy development.

[© 2026, IDRA. This article originally appeared in the February edition of the IDRA Newsletter. Permission to reproduce this article is granted provided the article is reprinted in its entirety and proper credit is given to IDRA and the author.]