This is a great question.  The answer could be any number of reasons.  Some schools may simply not have structured policies and procedures for dealing with bullying.  It may also be that there is a policy in place, but the staff at the school have not been informed of it or there may not be ways to use the rules that are in place.  Another thing that may be occuring is that the school may be doing something about it, but what they are doing may not be effective.  Bullying is not a simple problem.  It is complicated, can have many differing dynamics, and there is no one silver bullet answer that schools can immediately implement and have the problem go away.  There are things that can be done to help and there are ways to empower the students to also take responsibility for looking out for each other, but bullying is a problem that continually will be around in some way shape or form.  Even the best schools will likely have some bullying.  This does not mean it should ever be accepted or tolerated, but to eradicate it completely is also an unlikely result.  Another reason why a school may not respond to bullying is because they may not know what is going on or what the extent of the bullying is.  As parents, it is important to work with schools in coming up with ways to deal with bullying.  Sometimes it is easy to get into a blame game where all that happens is people try to say that something is somebody else's fault.  This approach is very unhelpful and does not solve the problem. It is best to try to work together with the school with a team approach.  If the school doesn't seem to respond, band with other parents and maybe even talk to administrators about your concerns.  And always focus on problem solving instead of blaming.  Don't say, "The school needs to change their ways because they are incompetent and ignoring this problem" instead say, "I am concerned and want this school to be safe for all students.  How can we make it safer?"  If after multiple attempts the problem is not being addressed and you feel like you have nowhere else to turn, it may be good to consider a school transfer for the sake of your child.  

Please remain open to problem solving and work with your school, other parents, and your child as a team to make the school the safest place it can be.  Also check your local area and see if there are outside groups who may be able to come in and help your school address this problem.  Sometimes having an all school event or assembly can be a great conversation starter and can raise awareness.  

Good luck and take care!  

Counselor, Dominic
Boys Town National Hotline-A hotline for Parents and Teens
1-800-448-3000
www.parenting.org