SAUGI MOKYKLOS APLINKA HOMOSEKSUALIAM, BISEKSUALIAM, TRANSEKSUALIAM IR DĖL SAVO LYTINĖS ORIENTACIJOS ABEJOJANČIAM JAUNIMUI: AR NEBRASKOS MOKYKLOS UŽTIKRINA SAUGIĄ APLINKĄ?

Abstract

Background. Schools can play a signi!cant role in preventing the negative eects of harassment and bias while enhancing resiliency of LGBTQ youth. Through establishing strong, supportive, and safe school environments for sexual minority youth, schools can help increase achievement for all students. Purpose. This study is designed to investigate the extent to which schools in Nebraska perceive LGBTQ youth issues as important and to what extent they are addressing the needs of these students. Methods and Results. A survey was sent to 100 Nebraska schools grades 6-12. Participants rated the importance of LGBTQ issues within their school and the extent to which their school is implementing the best practice strategies using a 5-point Likert scale. Results indicate that school personnel rated the importance of each of the nine best practice items signi!cantly higher (p<.05) than the school’s performance on implementing those practices including: speci!c language, policy enforcement, educating sta, inclusive curriculum, resources available, neutral language, safe person, gay-straight alliance, and community resources. Conclusions. School personnel in Nebraska feel that including LGBTQ practices within the school environment is important but schools should be increasing their implementation of these practices. Through establishing a safe, strong, and supporting environment for sexual minority youth, schools can help increase achievement for all students.