In the midst of the current debate over transgender rights, schools have an important role to play. While much of the debate has focused on bathrooms and locker rooms, schools appear to be not doing enough for transgender students. While many schools offer programs for gay youth, they often forget to include trans and gender non-conforming youth.
A new survey from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) shows that many transgender students are not getting full support in public schools. The survey found that only nine percent of U.S. teachers believe their school has clear policies and practices that support transgender students; only 35 percent said they have received any professional development on working with LGBTQ students.
The first step for schools is to acknowledge that there are multiple genders. This can be accomplished through changes in curriculum and school policies, as well as through providing training for faculty and staff members who work directly with students.
In addition, schools should ensure that all students feel welcome in all areas of their education experience—including classroom discussions and extracurricular activities like sports teams or clubs. Schools should also provide resources for parents who may need guidance about how best to support their children who identify as transgender.
Gender identity and expression should be included in all school policies, including anti-bullying and harassment policies. Schools should also provide gender-neutral bathroom facilities so that students who don’t identify as either male or female have an option other than the girls’ or boys’ room.
Moreover, article IX of the department of education prohibits schools that receive federal funding from discriminating against students on the basis of sex. Effectively, this article makes it illegal for the majority of schools in the US to discriminate against students based on sex. However, it’s still of utmost importance that educators understand this topic and become actively involved in making students feel more comfortable at school.
Children spend the great majority of their lives growing up inside schools. It’s therefore of utmost importance that schools feel like a second home and help them accept and embrace their differences in order to help to shape a more accepting society.
Some helpful resources
- https://genderspectrum.org/articles/educator-resources
- https://www.hrc.org/news/five-must-have-resources-to-make-back-to-school-gender-inclusive
- https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/federal
