On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Baseline: 24.9 percent of sexual minority students in grades 9 through 12 reported that they were bullied on school property in the past 12 months in 2021
Target: 20.7 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Numerator:
During the past 12 months, have you ever been bullied on school property?
- Yes
- No
Methodology notes
YRBS uses the term sexual minority to include those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or unsure; and those whose sexual behavior includes same-sex contacts. However, for statistical reporting, sexual identity and sexual behavior are reported separately. This objective only tracks lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity.
History
In 2023, the baseline was revised from 33.0 percent in 2017 to 24.9 percent in 2021, due to a change in the response options for the sexual orientation question on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The target was revised from 25.1 percent to 20.7 percent using the original target-setting method, minimal statistical significance.