Is Bullying Pushing Nonbinary Students out of Physical Schools?

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Leaving Traditional Schools: Exploring Reasons for Choosing Virtual Learning and Student Outcomes

Abstract

Little research addresses the schooling experiences of non-binary students; no prior work explores their experiences in cyber schools. Using unique data from a multi-state cyber charter, we compare the factors parents of non-binary (n=48) students and parents of other students stated as reasons for leaving their prior schools to attend a cyber charter school in fall 2019 (before the Covid-19 pandemic). Despite small sample size, we found statistically significant differences, with parents of non-binary students two to three times more likely to cite mental health, safety, and bullying related factors as motivating their choice of cyber schooling. There were no significant differences regarding physical health, and few involving academic-related concerns. We conclude with suggestions for future research.

Authors

• Robert A. Maranto, University of Arkansas

• Dennis E. Beck, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Bich Tran, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Thomas A. Clark, Clark Consulting