The report called for schools to record all bullying, including homophobic.
But the government said this would be too bureaucratic for head teachers - and would shortly issue new guidance.
The report from MPs said that more research was needed into finding more effective ways to reduce bullying.
There had been "very little evidence" underpinning current guidance - and the lack of accurate, reliable data was a barrier to more effective work, the report said.
The Department for Education and Skills should require schools to record all incidents, said the report into bullying from the House of Commons Education Select Committee.
It added: "Unless specific kinds of bullying are explicitly included in anti-bullying policies, we believe there is a danger that they will not be adequately addressed."
