File: JICDE*-E-2 - Bullying Investigation Form

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt an exhibit on this subject, CASB believes this sample contains the content/language that reflects "best practices." However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

Bullying Investigation Form

Instructions: Attach all reports, documents, evidence, and written accounts of the alleged bullying incident(s) to this investigation form.

Date of bullying report: ________________

Designated administrator: ______________________________________________

Date designated administrator received report: ___________________________

Date investigation started: ___________ Date investigation completed: _______

Investigator: ______________________________ Position/Title: _____________

I. Initial Review

Is the alleged bullying incident(s) within the school district´s authority to investigate?
[ ] Yes [ ] No If No, notify the Complainant and provide resources for support. If Yes, move to next question.

Is the alleged bullying incident(s) within the scope of this exhibit´s accompanying policy?

If No, the report should be promptly investigated pursuant to the applicable Board policy.

If Yes, promptly investigate the complaint pursuant to this exhibit´s accompanying policy.

If possible criminal conduct is involved, was law enforcement notified?
[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A

Date: __________ Contact person: ________________________________

Status, if known: ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

II. Bullying Report & Investigation Information

Name of Complainant: ______________________________________________
Check one: [ ] Student [ ] Parent/Guardian [ ] Staff
[ ] Other (please specify): ___________________________

If a student, specify school and grade (optional): ______________________
If a parent/guardian or other, provide contact information: _______________

Is the Complainant the target of the alleged bullying being reported? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Does the Complainant wish to remain anonymous? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Student(s) reported as targets of alleged bullying (use reverse side if needed):

Name: _______________________________ School: _________ Grade: ____
Name: _______________________________ School: _________ Grade: ____
Name: _______________________________ School: _________ Grade: ____

Person(s) reported as engaged in alleged bullying conduct (use reverse side if needed):

Name: ____________________________________ [ ] Student [ ] Staff [ ] Other
Name: ____________________________________ [ ] Student [ ] Staff [ ] Other
Name: ____________________________________ [ ] Student [ ] Staff [ ] Other

Person(s) reported as having witnessed or knowledge about the alleged bullying (use reverse side if needed):

Description of the alleged bullying incident(s), including date(s), times(s), locations(s), methods (e.g., physical, verbal, written, electronic/social media, psychological, social, images or items displayed or worn, etc.), how often the incident(s) occurred, whether an imbalance of power exists between the target and the perpetrator/the relationships of the involved individuals, and whether the alleged bullying was based on any protected category under federal or state law or school board policy (use reverse side and/or additional pages if needed):

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Did the Complainant allege that the student(s) were the targets of the alleged bullying in any of the following way(s)? (Check all that apply.)

[ ]   Electronic devices (e.g., internet, Social media platforms, text, email, cyber-bullying, etc.)
[ ]    Written communication (e.g., email, handwritten notes, other written documents, etc.)
[ ]    Physical act or conduct (e.g., pushing, hitting, destruction of property, stalking, etc.)
[ ]    Verbal act or conduct (e.g., rumors, lies, name-calling, using derogatory slurs, etc.)
[ ]    Social (e.g., purposeful exclusion, causing psychological harm, etc.)
[ ]   Items depicting implied hatred or prejudice worn, possessed, or displayed
[ ]   Other (please explain): _______________________________________

Did the Complainant allege that the alleged bullying incident(s) was based on any of the following characteristics? (Check all that apply; if yes, refer to the appropriate policy and procedure addressing nondiscrimination/equal opportunity or sexual harassment under Title IX.)

[ ] Race            [ ] Color           [ ] National Origin
[ ] Religion          [ ] Sex            [ ] Ancestry
[ ] Age              [ ] Marital status    [ ] Military Status
[ ] Physical disability   [ ] Mental disability   [ ] Sexual orientation
[ ] Gender identity    [ ] Creed          [ ] Gender expression
[ ] Association with a person or group with one or more of the above actual or perceived characteristics
[ ] Other (please specify): ________________________________________

Evidence of alleged bullying provided to the school or in the school´s possession (e.g., school or bus surveillance video, cell phone video, photographs, digital images, emails, letters, written statements, notes, police reports, etc.) (attach all evidence):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Have there been any prior incidents of bullying (alleged or substantiated) involving any or all of the involved individuals?

Additional school staff, if any, involved in investigation:

Name: _____________________________________ Position: _____________
Role in Investigation: _______________________________________________

III. Special Education Review

Do any of the students involved in the alleged bullying incident(s) receive special education services under an IEP or a Section 504 Plan, or are any of the students in the process of being referred or evaluated for special education services? If Yes, refer to student´s IEP or 504 Plan and contact special education director or Section 504 coordinator.
[ ] Yes [ ] No

Name: ________________________________ Date of contact: ______________
[ ] IEP [ ] 504 Plan [ ] Referral or Evaluation

IV. Interim Measures

Were any interim measures implemented for any of the involved students?
[ ] Yes [ ] No

Student Name: ________________________ School: ________ Grade: _____
Description of interim measure (e.g., safety plan, duration, etc.) (attach documentation):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

V. Findings

Summary of findings of the investigation (i.e., determine whether the alleged conduct did or did not constitute bullying or other prohibited behavior under this exhibit´s accompanying policy; determine whether the alleged conduct adversely affected any of the involved students´ education or educational environment; and why) (attach additional pages if needed):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

IV. Parent/Guardian Notification

Document notification(s) to the students involved in the alleged incident(s) of bullying and their parents/guardians of the outcome of the investigation and any other information deemed appropriate by the investigator and designated administrator. The information may be provided, based on school district policy, procedures, and practice, as well as taking into consideration the circumstances of the matter, in the form of a written report or meetings with each student and the student´s parents/guardians, and may include an overview of the investigation process, the findings of the investigation, and the actions taken to address the reported incident of bullying. Information shared with students and parents/guardians must be in accordance with applicable law and school Board policy.

Student Name: ___________________________ School: _______ Grade: ____
Parent/Guardian Contacted: __________________________________________
Staff Member (name and position/title): _________________________________
Date(s) of Contact: _________________________________________________
Type of Contact (phone, in person, email): ______________________________
Summary of information provided, discussion, and next steps: _______________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

VI. Interventions

Interventions to address bullying may include, but are not limited to, school social work services, restorative measures, social-emotional skill building, counseling, school psychological services, development of a safety plan, community-based services, and discipline. The school district should refer to its code of conduct and discipline policies and procedures for next steps regarding any disciplinary actions that may result from a bullying incident.

Student Name: ___________________________ School: _______ Grade: ___
Intervention: ______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Outcome: ________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

VI. Recordkeeping

The bullying report, investigation checklist/documentation and evidence, written findings reports (if any), records of any responsive actions in accordance with applicable law, and any other records related to investigating the reported incident(s) of bullying and any responsive actions will be maintained in accordance with applicable law and school Board policy.

Checklist and documentation submitted to): _______________________________
Date: ______________

Investigator Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________

(Issue date)