BY STEVE CARMODY
A couple hundred school counselors, mental health professionals and social workers are meeting Tuesday in Lansing. They're in town to discuss what can be done to reduce bullying in Michigan's schools.
Paul Liabenow said people understand that bullying is not just "mean girls being mean," or "bad boys will grow out of it."
Liabenow is the executive director of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association.
He said efforts in recent years to address bullying in schools are working.
"I'm not suggesting that we're going to eliminate bullying in schools or communities in the near future. But we are having a positive impact." Liabenow said.
Liabenow said 'Matt's Law' which was passed in 2011 is helping schools address the problem of bullying. The law requires schools to adopt bullying awareness programs and anti-bullying policies.
He said some schools have found the law is cumbersome to follow, but it's working.