Full Description
All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment
Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered are susceptible to harassment from their peers and are at high risk of dropping out of school. This book provides professional development ideas and real-life vignettes that will help educational leaders foster a more caring school culture not only for LGBT students, but for all students. Peter DeWitt presents specific strategies for school leaders that include:
Implementing a student code of conduct and school board policies to safeguard students
Helping staff members recognize and respond to overt and covert LGBT issues
Professional development guidelines to equip staff to intervene
Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum
Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings
This practical and compassionate guide contains numerous cases and examples, strategies and templates for codes of conduct (including the NY Code), book study questions, and links to pertinent articles, websites, and blogs for further information. Dignity for All helps inform educators of the issues and methods for building acceptance in a diverse world.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. The Silent Minority
Our School Experiences
What It Means to Be Gay
The Need for Role Models
Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students
Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
2. Bullying of LGBT Students
Where Bullying Behavior Begins
Cyberbullying
Setting the Tone in School
Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
3. The Role of Schools
The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students
Keeping Students Safe
Teacher Biases
Professional Development
Parent Outreach
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
4. Curriculum Matters
Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level
Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students
Curriculum
Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education
English Language Arts
Social Studies
Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying
After-School Enrichment
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
5. Gay-Straight Alliances
Why Schools Should Offer a GSA
The Parameters of Creating a GSA
Events Held by a GSA
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
6. Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct
Laws That Support School Decisions
School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students
A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct
Creating School Board Policies
How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help
Conclusion
Action Steps
Discussion Questions
Questions to Ponder
7. Important Stories From Higher Education
Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
References
Index
