CLEVELAND -- They beat up their classmates, call them names or spread nasty rumors, and as NewsChannel5's Debora Lee reported, bullies also interfere with education.

Mike Simpson is now a confident college sophomore, but he hasn't forgotten what grade school was like, when he was tormented by bullies.

"They used to choke me up. I was the new student so they used to try the new guy ... 'I'm gonna get him ... little Mike,'" said Simpson.

University Hospitals child psychologist Felipe Amutagui says bullying is such a serious problem, it sends some children into therapy.

"I've had kids referred to me because of truancy ... a little girl was leaving school early -- she was trying to avoid being victimized," said Amutagui.

Children victimized by bullies are afraid and sad, which often leads to absenteeism and a decline in academic performance.

"I think it's an issue that's been interfering with education for a long, long time and it really requires a community approach to solve it," said Amutagui.

Many school districts now have programs to identify and intervene in bullying situations.

In addition to avoiding school and declining grades, a child who keeps losing things like book bags and lunch money, may also be the victim of a bully.

For more information on bullies and how to deal with them, click here.