University of Illinois study is first to study effects of verbal put - downs . Study finds taunting can make it difficult for students who are behind to catch up . Professor on high levels of verbal abuse : ` ` I think it 's sort of a wake - up call '' The first-of-its-kind study cited a national sample of data from the U.S. Department of Education on more than 10,000 high-school sophomores in more than 650 U.S. high schools . Study finds name - calling is a problem in public and private schools .
University of Illinois study is first to study effects of verbal put - downs . Study finds taunting can make it difficult for students who are behind to catch up . Professor on high levels of verbal abuse : ` ` I think it 's sort of a wake - up call '' Study finds name - calling is a problem in public and private schools .