Dignity for All: Safeguarding LGBT Students

by Peter M. DeWitt

Overview

All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgendered are susceptible to 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 De Witt provides 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
• Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum
• Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452205908
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/06/2012
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter De Witt (Ed.D) is the founder and CEO of the Instructional Leadership Collective, and approaches everything with a learner's mindset. He was a K-5 teacher for 11 years and a principal for 8 years. For over 12 years, he has been facilitating professional learning nationally, and internationally, based on the content of many of his best-selling educational books.

De Witt's professional learning relationships are a monthly hybrid approach that includes both coaching and the facilitating workshops on instructional leadership and collective efficacy. His work has been adopted at the state level, university level, and he works with numerous school districts, school boards, regional networks, ministries of education around North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the U.K.

Peter writes the Finding Common Ground column for Education Week with Michael Nelson and they host Corwin’s Leaders Coaching Leaders podcast. In 2020 De Witt co-created Education Week's A Seat At the Table where he moderates conversations with experts around the topics of race, gender, research, trauma and many other educational topics.

Peter is the author, co-author or contributor of numerous books and his articles have appeared in educational research journals at the state, national and international level. His books have been translated into numerous languages.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xi

About the Author xiii

1 The Silent Minority 1

Our School Experiences 1

What It Means to Be Gay 4

The Need for Role Models 6

Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students 7

Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students 9

Conclusion 10

Action Steps 10

Discussion Questions 11

2 Bullying of LGBT Students 13

Where Bullying Behavior Begins 15

Cyberbullying 15

Setting the Tone in School 17

Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students 19

Conclusion 25

Action Steps 26

Discussion Questions 27

3 The Role of Schools 29

The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students 30

Keeping Students Safe 32

Teacher Biases 33

Professional Development 34

Parent Outreach 38

Conclusion 40

Action Steps 41

Discussion Questions 41

4 Curriculum Matters 43

Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level 44

Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students 49

Curriculum 52

Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education 52

English Language Arts 56

Social Studies 57

Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying 60

After-School Enrichment 60

Conclusion 61

Action Steps 61

Discussion Questions 61

5 Gay-Straight Alliances 63

Why Schools Should Offer a GSA 66

The Parameters of Creating a GSA 69

Events Held by a GSA 74

Conclusion 75

Action Steps 76

Discussion Questions 76

6 Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct 77

Laws That Support School Decisions 82

School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students 82

A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct 84

Creating School Board Policies 86

How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help 87

Conclusion 88

Action Steps 90

Discussion Questions 91

Questions to Ponder 91

7 Important Stories From Higher Education 93

Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth 99

References 107

Index 111

Editorial Reviews

"Dignity for All is a wise book that will help administrators, teachers, and parents work together to make sure that our schools are welcoming for all of our students. Peter De Witt provides the insight and ideas to lead the way in including LGBT students. "

Diane Ravitch

"This book is a valuable resource guide for schools considering a course of action. It is recommended for all high schools seeking progressive change. "

VOYA, August 2012 - Kevin Beach

"Dignity for All provides educators with critical information on the experiences of LGBT students in our schools and how to create safe and affirming spaces for these youth. Grounded in his experience as a teacher and school administrator, Peter De Witt makes vital knowledge accessible for those on the front lines in schools. "

Eliza Byard

"In this book, a group of students that is often misunderstood and frequently maligned finds a voice. Educators whose reach extends to every student will discover here a deeper understanding of these students’ needs as well as sound advice on addressing those needs. "

Carol Ann Tomlinson

Leaders set the tone for their buildings. Peter De Witt offers an important resource for teachers and administrators that will help create an inclusive school for all students.

Todd Whitaker