Time for Inclusive Education (TIE)’s Post

It’s #WorldBookDay2024 My book ‘Celebrating Difference A Whole School Approach to LGBT+ Inclusion’ supports educators to embed support for LGBT+ stakeholders in schools. amzn.to/2EBFWyq #LGBTQIA #education #ukedchat #antibullying #edutwitter #LGBT #teaching #educationalleadership #educationandschools

Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., a former principal, teacher, consultant, and author of the Finding Common Ground blog for Education Week, addresses the issue of marginalized students, particularly focusing on LGBTQ students. His experience and doctoral research reveal that schools often fail to safeguard these students adequately, leading to bullying, harassment, and in some tragic cases, suicide. Key Points: 1. Marginalized Students: DeWitt emphasizes that while some students thrive in school, others, particularly LGBTQ students, feel unsafe and marginalized. 2. Research Findings: His research indicates that school administrators generally perform poorly in protecting LGBTQ students, with over 80% of these students experiencing bullying or harassment. 3. Impact: This neglect results in severe consequences, including the loss of students through dropping out or suicide. 4. Legislative Action: In New York, the Dignity for All Students Act mandates that school policies specifically address the needs of LGBTQ students, yet implementation remains a challenge. 5. Educational Inclusion: DeWitt advocates for integrating LGBTQ issues into the curriculum and ensuring school policies and codes of conduct are inclusive. He stresses the importance of representation in literature and discussions to make all students feel acknowledged and supported. 6. Personal Motivation: DeWitt's motivation is partly drawn from his personal experience of feeling different due to his father’s early death and the lack of relatable narratives in his education. As a principal, he worked to ensure all students felt represented and engaged. His work, including the book Dignity for All Students, focuses on creating safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ students by promoting awareness and implementing supportive policies.

Are you an educator, ally, or movement worker who cares about creating gender-inclusive education for our LGBTQIA+ students? Do you want to build and discuss with other folks in education and the community? ---Consider this upcoming workshop next week! 📌 Queerphobia in Education: How to Respond as Educators and Allies 🏳️🌈 🗓️ Wednesday, August 16th (4:00pm - 5:30pm PST) This workshop will explore how racism and queerphobia are inherently connected with education. We'll center the joy and resistance of those with first-hand experience (e.g., QTBIPOC). Overarching Workshop Goals: We seek to create a safe and critical space for critical educators, allies, and movement workers to: 1. Engage in discussions about gender-inclusive schools 2. Share best practices and resources 3. Participate and lead discussions Register now at https://bit.ly/44UmDLJ Spaces are limited. #LGBTQIA #InclusiveEducation #EducationEquity #LGBTQIA #Genderinclusion

🏳️⚧️ The education sector has sounded the alarm about the government's draft transgender guidance But what are the issues, and what should happen now? Here's what you need to know

What a way to start LGBT+ History month, with the news that the article I wrote on LGBT+ issues in schools has been published! If you get a chance - please follow the link here to give it a read or a scan to find out more about the barriers teachers face in supporting LGBT+ students and issues. Society has taken steps in the right direction with legislation, and schools have made some progress, but there's still a long way to go. It's important to recognise and acknowledge the barriers people face in supporting LGBT+ young persons and issues in order to overcome them. Sometimes silence or inaction by teachers to call out homophobic and transphobic actions give the impression it is acceptable. If you are a teacher and tend to be silent on the issue or shy away from it - use this month to find out more about the history of the LGBT+ community and how you can be an ally to your students. It doesn't mean you have to start by jumping into conversations about topics you aren't comfortable discussing, but small steps to show you are an ally can be picked up by those students that need to see it most. I'll finish by saying that if you are a teacher - the results of school climate surveys can be sad, shocking, and surprising (if you know about their existence) but as teachers, we play a significant role in making schools, colleges and universities a better place to welcome all our students. #teacher #teachers #schools #school #students #lgbtqcommunity #lgbt+ #lgbthistorymonth #diversityandinclusion #inclusiveeducation

ICYMI: Indiana launches website for parents to report LGBT, racial indoctrination in schools: The state of Indiana has launched a new website allowing parents to document what they consider concerning curriculum in public schools as part of a statewide effort to ensure parental rights in education.  #Indiana #LGBT #Education #CriticalRaceTheory

Inclusivity in education is pivotal. Did you know that LGBTQ+ students in inclusive environments exhibit higher academic performance and better mental well-being? Schools and colleges play a vital role in fostering acceptance, reducing discrimination, and ensuring every student feels seen. Embracing diversity isn't just the right thing to do—it boosts success and wellness for everyone. 🌈✏️ #InclusiveEducation #diverseworkforce Read more: https://lnkd.in/gE39phTs

The student financial aid application, FAFSA, will not include any question relating to transsexuality. #transsexual #fafsa #lgbtq #highereducation #usdepartmentofeducation #financialaid #students #administration #biden #collegesanduniversities #forms https://lnkd.in/gdbjMYYP

Recently, an organisation opposed to the inclusion of transgender individuals launched a new resource for schools and colleges titled "Keeping children safe as girls and boys in education". Critics have already raised concerns about potential misinterpretations of the law within the guidance and the possible negative impact on the mental well-being of children exploring their gender identities. In contrast, we advocate for a different approach. We firmly believe that ensuring the safety of children in education should involve empowering them to be themselves. To learn and grow both academically but also as a fully rounded people who are proud of their differences. History tells us approaches that force the suppression of authenticity, such as section 28, not only fail but create generational health, educational, and interpersonal divides that hurt every single person, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. We share our expertise & knowledge with schools, colleges, and universities allowing them to provide their pupils with support to explore who they are, to encourage young people to foster authenticity, and to establish both physically and psychologically safe environments for all students. We believe no student should be forced to hide their experiences out of fear of policies, discrimination, or broader societal attitudes. If you share our commitment to supporting all LGBTQ+ children, we invite you to explore our Schools and Education Institute program. For more information, please visit:  https://lnkd.in/e3ujSw6d

The Florida Board of Education proposed the following rules: Rule No.: 6A-10.086, “Bathroom Rule - School Board, Charters”: Bans transgender youth from using the bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. Rule No.: 6A-10.089, “School Events & Activities Rule”: Attempts to restrict student access to certain extracurricular activities and events by mandating detailed, signed permission slips before a student may participate. Rule No.: 6A-1.0955, “Educational Records”: Requires a consent form for a student to use a name other than their legal name. This proposed rule will impact students who prefer to use a shortened version of their first name, a nickname, or any other names, and in application, is at risk of being disproportionately and unfairly applied to transgender students. Rule No.: 6A-5.065, "The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices": Integrates bans on LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons and restrictions on chosen pronoun usage into the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, which form the foundation of evaluations and certification requirements for instructors. Rule No.: 6A-10.081, "Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida": Threatens educators with loss of their teaching license if they provide LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons to students, and if they enter bathrooms or use personal pronouns that do not correspond with their so-called biological sex.