The School District of Philadelphia's Multiracial- Multicultural-Gender Education Policy (Policy 102) dictates an education process designed to foster knowledge about and respect for those of all races, ethnic groups, social classes, genders, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations. Its purpose is to ensure equity and justice for all members of the school community and to give everyone the skills and knowledge they need to understand and overcome individual biases and institutional barriers to full equality. Although the policy includes sexual orientation, the district continues to face obstacles in ensuring that all students does include gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth (GLBTQ). This session will describe the process the School District of Philadelphia initiated to gather community support for including sexual orientation in the Multiracial-Multicultural- Gender Education Policy. The district is partnering with community advocates, youth, and staff to implement the policy and to provide support to GLBTQ youth on every level. Examples include support and training for the ALLY Program and Gay/Straight Alliances; professional development for all staff from central administrators to school police officers; curriculum development; and the Comprehensive Support Process. The district is evaluating its efforts by analyzing disciplinary actions, hate crimes, transfers, and school performance records, in addition to listening to student’s voices. The district has learned many valuable lessons and has identified ways to overcome obstacles facing GLBTQ youth.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will learn how one urban district addressed the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth through supportive programs, professional development, and curriculum. 2.Participants will learn how to recognize the obstacles to supporting GLBTQ youth in schools and how to overcome the obstacles and create supportive programs. 3.Participants will learn how to integrate the needs of GLBTQ youth into existing programs and services 4. Participants will anaylze the impact the programs have on all students
Keywords: Gay, Child/Adolescent
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia PA;
Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives, Philadelphia, PA; School District of Philadelphia; GLSEN Philadelphia
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.