How to Improve Public School

Support for Transgender Students

Navigating childhood is hard

enough, but when that experience is
coupled with gender identity issues,
lifes anxieties can quickly escalate.
Its no secret that school can be an
emotionally trying environment,
fraught with problems that can
potentially lead to both physical and
psychological damage. Therefore it
is not only the responsibility of
public schools to provide support for
their students, but extra care must
be taken into consideration when
looking after the wellbeing of those
either questioning or asserting their
gender identity.
In this presentation, we will explore
some of the ways educational
leaders can work to foster a more
welcoming environment.

Introduction

The Facts

Decreased levels of educational

and academic achievements are
often directly correlated to
issues surrounding student
victimization.
Close to 50% of transgender
youth have attempted suicide at
some point in their life.
Harassment has been reported
by almost 80% of youth
struggling with gender identity.
Physical harassment in the form
of pushing or shoving is quite
common for at least 55% of
transgender students.
Almost half of transgender
students have skipped school for
fear of being physically or
verbally attacked.

Safety & Academic Standards

The aforementioned statistics make it clear that
harassment in schools have a huge negative
impact. In order to ensure the safety and
academic standards of all students, educational
leaders must establish and implement a zerotolerance anti-bullying policy.
In cases where anti-bullying policies are already
in place, it is highly recommended that existing
standards be reevaluated and updated
accordingly on a regular basis.

Policy
Public schools arent just
obligated solely by moral
responsibility. Federal law also
prohibits school sex
discrimination, which includes
gender nonconforming and
transgender students. It is up
to the schools to create
specific guidelines against all
types of sexual harassment, or
risk legal liability. Failure to do
so can lead to oversight from
the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

Legal Ramifications
School district officials and
supervisors can be held liable for
students experiencing sexual abuse.
The following items are taken into
consideration when officials are
found to be guilty of deliberate
indifference toward the welfare of
a student:
Possible knowledge of
harassment
Possessing the authority to
respond and take action
Failure to take action in
stopping the abuse
Child injury resulting from
failure to act

Culture & Language

Language is an absolutely vital part of
setting the tone for inclusive
environment. School psychologists are
especially responsible for using language
that is non-discriminatory.
Use the childs chosen name.
Use appropriate pronouns in
response to a students gender
identity.
Identify their gender expression, or
simply ask their preference.
Use the word transgender as an
adjective; not a noun.
In reference to gender identity, use
assigned male at birth or
assigned female at birth.

Employing a welcoming environment

involves teachers, administrators,
parents, and advocacy or support groups.
For help, look for models of successful
private institutions that exist to uplift and
protect their students.
Take into account the following as you
work to create a more welcoming
environment:
Use inclusive language such as
everyone as opposed to boys
and girls.
Refrain from assembling students
into groups based on gender.
Avoid offensive/stereotyped
characters in posters, literature, and
other media.
Provide guidance to staff on
incorporating safe, inclusive policies
surrounding lesson plans, language,
and bullying.

Creating an
All-Inclusive
Environment

More Tips for Creating an

All-Inclusive Environment

Prepare staff with outlined policy materials involving bathroom use, extracurricular
activities, and confidentiality.
Create lunchtime and/or after-school groups designed to support LGBT students.
Provide psychotherapeutic assistance for students and families.
Open the lines of communication for students faced with harassment.

Contact Us
Sage Day is an accredited
private institution that
provides alternative
schooling for students who
thrive in a small, supportive,
therapeutic environment.
Faced with a wide variety of
emotionally faragile
situations. It is our mission to
provide students with the
education they require in
order to reach their full
potential and achieve true
success. Learn more by
visiting us online at
http://www.sageday.com/ or
call 877-887-8817.

Sources

http://www.educationadminwebadvisor.com/schedule/detail/TransgenderStudents-in-K-12--Navigating-Accommodations

http://www.adl.org/education-outreach/curriculum-resources/c/discussingtransgender-and-gender-non-conforming-identity-andissues.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/#.VkT5Q7erRhE

http://www.transequality.org/know-your-rights/schools

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/03/living/children-gender-inclusive-schools/

http://www.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/youth/tgnc-friendly-schools

Summary
Our future depends on the children we lead
today. Learn more about how your school can
become better prepared in addressing issues
surrounding transgender students.