Bullying in schools has been around forever. We all grew up with it.

But it took the state until 2010 to recognize it as part of education law, with the passage of the Dignity for All Students Act.

The act was designed to provide elementary and secondary students with a “safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.”

It also expanded instruction in civility that covered sensitivity based on race, ethnicity, religion, mental and physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and weight. And it set up a system for districts to collect and report data on material incidents of discrimination and harassment.

With schools becoming more aware of bullying and being forced to document and report incidents to the state, the goal was that it would result in fewer children suffering the indignity of bullying and discrimination.

But a report issued last week by the state Comptroller’s Office is a reminder that despite those efforts 15 years ago, our........

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