Educating School Personnel About Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues: Effectiveness of Professional Development Programs

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

Over the past decade increased attention has been paid to the victimization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in schools. Ensuring a safe school environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (i.e., how masculine or feminine someone is perceived to be), is an important responsibility of educators. Research has shown the importance of educator intervention when anti-LGBT behaviors are encountered in school. Yet little is known about the impact of professional development efforts related to these issues. Drawing from evaluations of four different educator training programs, this session will provide information about effective ways to prepare school personnel to address anti-LGBT bias in schools and create safer learning environments for LGBT students.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Queer Studies

Chair

• Emily Greytak, GLSEN:Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network

Papers

• Increasing Educators’ Capacity to Create Safer Schools: Findings From a District-Wide Training Program - Emily Greytak, GLSEN:Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network

• Welcoming Schools Guide: Elementary School Educator Training and Evaluation - Laura Szalacha, The Ohio State University; Suzanne Pasch, Wheelock College

• Reduction of Stigma in Schools Program: Evaluations and Reflections on the First Three Years - Elizabethe Payne, Queering Education Research Institute (QuERI); Melissa J. Smith, Syracuse University

• Addressing Anti-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Bias in Schools: Changing Educators’ Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors Through Professional Development - Stacey S. Horn, University of Illinois at Chicago; Shannon Sullivan, Illinois Safe Schools The Alliance

Discussant

• Joseph G. Kosciw, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network