Those rates were unchanged or slightly higher than bullying rates reported in the previous 2011-13 data collection, depending on grade level. The survey was administered to a randomly selected, representative state sample of 36,573 students in grades 7, 9 and 11. Parental consent was required.

The report found "disturbingly high levels" of symptoms indicating a risk of depression. About 1 in 3 students in 2013-15 reported feeling "so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more" in the past 12 months that they stopped doing some usual activities. The rate of chronic sadness was 26 percent in 7th grade, 32 percent in 9th grade and 34 percent in 11th grade and  were unchanged from the 2011-13 survey.

About 1 in 5 students in 9th grade and 11th grade reported seriously considering suicide.

On the positive side, 11th grade students reported decreased rates of binge drinking, alcohol use, marijuana use and drinking and driving.

The survey also found significant numbers of students who did not identify themselves as heterosexual.

When asked "Which of the following best describes you?" 76 percent of 7th graders, 86 percent of 9th graders and 88 percent of 11th graders chose "heterosexual/straight." The 2013-15 survey was the first time researchers asked the question.

"Gay/lesbian/bisexual" was chosen by 3.5 percent of 7th graders, 6.4 percent of 9th graders and 7.2 percent of 11th graders. "Transgender" was chosen by between 1.1 and 1.6 percent of students across the grade levels. "Not sure" was selected by 11 percent of 7th graders and dropped to 4.2 percent for 11th graders. "Declined to respond" was chosen by 14.5 percent of 7th graders, 6.1 percent of 9th graders and 4.7 percent of 11th graders.

Incidents of bullying based on actual or perceived religious background, including Jewish students who are called anti-Semitic epithets and Muslim students who are picked on for wearing a hijab and called terrorists, are increasing, the U.S. Department of Education said.

In response, the department has launched a new webpage outlining the federal legal protections -- including provisions in the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act -- for students based on religion or shared ancestry with a religious group. This fact sheet gives examples of school scenarios that could prompt a civil rights investigation.

In addition, newly adopted regulations will make it possible, starting in October, for school districts, students and parents to request help from a regional federal Equity Assistance Center. The department also lists resources for schools at the bottom of this 2015 guidance letter.

A new California law requiring 7th- through 12th-grade students to be educated about sexual harassment and assault will enter its first full year of implementation this fall, and experts and advocates say schools have the opportunity to address troubling attitudes about gender and power that they say can contribute to sexual harassment and even assaults on college campuses. Read more at EdSource.

• "Dear Colleague" letter and resource guide.
• "Know Your Rights" document for students and parents.
• News release.

Students who don't conform to gender stereotypes are often targeted by bullies, but less well known is that these students are also more likely to be disciplined at school, including for incidents in which they may have been the victims, according to a new report by GLSEN, a national education organization focused on school safety and welcoming environments for all students.

The report said that among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth students, higher levels of being bullied were associated with higher rates of being suspended, "potentially because bullying incidents put LGBT students in greater contact with school authorities."

The report is intended to bring the disciplinary experiences of LGBT youth into the conversation about why students are absent from school or dropout.

On the positive side, the report noted that teachers and staff who are supportive of LGBT youth "have steadily become more prevalent."

Tips from for making schools welcoming places for all students include, according to the report: 

• Anti-bullying policies that state that bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation is not allowed.
• LGBT topics are included in lessons to increase student engagement and knowledge.
• If school police are on campus, they know school anti-bullying policies and how to address the needs of LGBT students
• School policies concerning public displays of affection are enforced in the same way for all students.