Thousands of Oklahoma kids threatened with a weapon at school each year

"Oklahoma students who began an anti-bullying campaign, 'Stand for the Silent,' have organized a rally at the state Capitol next month," The Oklahoman reports today. "The students organized after hearing the story of 11-year-old Ty Field, who committed suicide after reportedly being bullied."

Bullying is a real problem in Oklahoma schools. According to a new report [PDF here] from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 17.5 percent of Oklahoma's high-school students were bullied on school property during the past year. That's more than 25,000 kids -- and that's just in high school.

In addition, 5.8 percent of Oklahoma's high-school students -- that's more than 8,500 kids -- were threatened or injured with a weapon (such as a gun, knife, or club) on school property one or more times during the past year.