curriculum

Growing a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum: A Framework and Reflections for Secondary Science Teachers

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 18:01:42 +0000

Growing a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum: A Framework and Reflections for Secondary Science Teachers Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 06/30/2019 - 12:01 Sam Long , High School Biology Teacher

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In October 2018, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had proposed a new legal definition of sex. “Sex means a person’s status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth,” the memo proposed. If adopted, this definition would erase numerous legal protections for the transgender community. Most notably, transgender individuals would be excluded from Title IX, which prohibits exclusion or discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs.

The Trump administration’s exclusionary appeal to “biology” is all too familiar. On a daily basis, transgender individuals^{^[1]} are told that they do not fit into an overly simplistic, binary definition of a “biological” male or female, and this becomes grounds to exclude them from restrooms, sports facilities, or other public spaces.

As a biology teacher and an out transgender man, I follow these stories closely. I grew up and transitioned in Toronto, Canada, where I was barred from my high school restrooms and overnight trips. For the last four years, I have taught high school in Denver, Colorado. In my classroom, I push students to dig deeper beyond the binary, toward a more complex biology that both affirms and enriches our understanding of gender diversity.

Most science classrooms do not affirm gender diversity. In a 2017 survey, only 2.4% of students saw positive representations of any LGBTQ-related topic in a science class. Teacher messaging has implications for student safety—the survey reported that 55% of LGBTQ students who were harassed or assaulted at school did not feel comfortable reporting the incident to school staff. Teachers need guidance on how to reverse this trend, and biology teachers have a unique opportunity to do so through their curriculum. For these teachers, I offer a framework for creating and adapting gender-inclusive biology curriculum.

A gender-inclusive biology curriculum has five essential elements: authenticity, continuity, affirmation, anti-oppression, and student agency.

Figure 1: Framework for a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum

Framework for a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum
1. Authenticity	Gender-inclusion is embedded in the curriculum Lessons are aligned with the teacher’s beliefs Content is based on empirical research
2. Continuity	Gender-inclusion is a recurring part of the curriculum, not a one-time “very special lesson”, an aside, an extension, or a reaction Gender-related themes are consistent from lesson to lesson
3. Affirmation	Students learn about the naturally-occurring diversity of gender and sexuality in human and nonhuman species Lessons celebrate diversity as a valuable asset in societies and in scientists
4. Anti-oppression	Lessons highlight and challenge oppression in current and historical science practices Students ask about what voices are present and absent in the conversation Teachers are aware of their own identity and privileges
5. Student agency	Students give input and feedback about lessons Teachers ask students what they want to learn more about Students make choices for research projects and case studies

The first two elements of the framework, authenticity and continuity, ensure that inclusion efforts are internalized by students as a full-fledged part of their education. Affirmation and anti-oppression both help students to find empowerment in the study of gender in biology. Student agency allows students to take ownership in what they are learning, and for students with high interest in these topics to explore them even further.

On the first day of classes, I teach a lesson about Diverse Scientists to develop the mindset that anybody can be a scientist. First, I ask students to draw a scientist using a pencil and paper. I show a handful of drawings on the document camera and ask students to notice trends. Most papers show a white man with wild hair and glasses, holding a beaker that is sometimes exploding. Then we do a gallery walk, viewing twelve posters of real scientists including women, scientists of color, and LGBTQ identities. Students look at portraits and read short biographies of astronaut Mae Jemison, computer scientist Alan Turing, neurobiologist Ben Barres^{^[2]}, and others. Then I ask students to reflect on the differences between their drawings and the real scientists. Students notice that the real scientists are far more diverse than the drawings.

After this comparison, I tell students explicitly that we are all scientists, even if we have not felt like it in the past. Throughout the year, we study diverse scientists and their often uncredited contributions. These repeated exposures exemplify the continuity and anti-oppression elements of the framework. Although diverse scientists make up a very small portion of instructional time in my class, the representation helps my LGBTQ students to develop a sense of belonging in science. This is needed because LGBTQ scientists are currently underrepresented and often closeted in STEM majors and careers.

My genetics unit is an opportunity to develop understanding about diversity in gender and in families. By the unit’s end, students will be able to explain how DNA provides instructions for making essential proteins, and how parental alleles can be used to predict the traits of the offspring. But before we begin, my students must understand the complexities of the language of genetics. On the board, I write the statement, "We get half our DNA from our mom and half from our dad." On the surface, this may sound like a truth pulled straight from a biology textbook. I ask students to consider whether the statement is inclusive—does it apply to every person?

Students are able to express who is not included in this statement, namely children who are adopted, same-sex parents, single parents, and children conceived with a sperm donor. Not every child has exactly two people called ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ who share DNA with the child. I explain to the class that although every human is conceived from an egg and a sperm, families are diverse—all families are valid.

Similarly, we consider the statement, "Men produce sperm cells and women produce egg cells.” Students know that this is sometimes not true for people who are older, infertile, or transgender. (I add that individuals with intersex traits also may not produce egg or sperm cells). I ask, “Do transgender men count as men? Do infertile women count as women?” and students agree that they count. I highlight the difference between gender identity, which is self-determined, and various measures of physical sex. To conclude, our class agrees on a certain term, usually “biological parent”, to refer to someone who passes on their DNA to the child via an egg or sperm cell.

Teaching students this language is important for the authenticity element of the framework. After this discussion, students and teachers are able to approach every genetics lesson with language that is precise and inclusive. Students develop an awareness that the patterns connecting gender, chromosomes, and egg and sperm are just that—generalized patterns, not absolute rules. Students with more curiosity about gender diversity may choose to research intersex traits for the research project within this unit.

My evolution unit is flush with opportunity to address the third element of the framework, affirmation. After learning the basics of natural selection, we explore theories of how homosexual behavior and sex-changing can contribute to the reproductive success of certain animal species. We also learn about diverse reproductive strategies beyond the typical pattern of “males compete, females choose.” In this unit, students learn that diversity is not to be merely tolerated, but celebrated as an essential and beautiful part of life.

These gender-inclusive lessons elicit some of the highest engagement that I have seen from my students. Discussions are lively and students’ questions are sometimes endless. Eyes widen and hands go up from the quiet students who don’t normally shine in science class. LGBTQ students lean into the lesson, smile, nod, and sigh with relief when they hear my framing of a topic that is normally taught in a cis heteronormative^{^[3]} way. Each year, more LGBTQ students come out to me, with the trust that their identities will be recognized and celebrated in my biology classroom. Teachers, our students are always listening. Gender-inclusive biology teaching is a high-leverage way to help all students feel safe, included, and celebrated in school.

^{^[1]} Barres, a transgender man, shared his pre- and post-transition experiences of discrimination in an autobiography (Barres, 2017).

^{^[2]} Cis heteronormative refers to a worldview that promotes heterosexual and cisgender (non-transgender) identities as normal or preferred.

^{^[3]} Transgender refers to people whose gender identity does not fully align with their sex assigned at birth.

References

Barres, B., & Hopkins, N. (2018). The autobiography of a transgender scientist. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Green, Erica L., et al. (2018, October 21). 'Transgender' Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration.” The New York Times. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/2018/10/21/us/politics/transgender-trump-administration-sex-definition.html
Hughes, B. E. (2018). Coming out in STEM: Factors affecting retention of sexual minority STEM students. Science Advances, 4(3), eaao6373.
Kosciw, J. G., et al. (2018). The 2017 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in our nation’s schools. New York: GLSEN.

�� the Author

Sam Long (he/him/his) is a transgender man and a high school biology teacher in Denver, CO

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Sam Long, a high school biology teacher, writes about the exclusion of transgender topics and students in biology classrooms. He provides a framework for a gender-inclusive biology curriculum and how that curriculum can positively affect gender-diverse students. // Sam Long, un profesor de preparatoria de biología, escribe acerca de la exclusión de temas transgénero y estudiantes en salones de biología. El provee un marco curricular de biología inclusiva en base a los géneros y explica cómo ese currículo puede tener un efecto positivo en estudiantes con diversas identidades de género.

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Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students with Disabilities

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:50:40 +0000

Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students with Disabilities Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 06/30/2019 - 11:50 June Gothberg , Western Michigan University; LaSonja Roberts , Western Michigan University; Mary Ebejer , Western Michigan University

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Adolescents typically face challenges when it comes to puberty, social identity, and planning for adulthood. Youth with disabilities (YWD), however, are more likely to struggle than their peers without disabilities (Ferri & Connor, 2010), as these relatively routine developmental challenges may become major obstacles that can lead to low self-esteem, low self-definition, and a limited vision of their future (Ferri & Connor, 2010; Kortering, Braziel, & McClannon, 2010). Their confusion is confounded by a society that promotes stereotypes of heterosexual or asexual identities, leaving YWD sexuality largely unaddressed (Burr, 2015; das Nair & Butler, 2012; East & Orchard, 2014) and difficult to understand as they transition into adulthood (Sinclair, Unruh, Lindstrom, & Scanlon, 2015).

The confusion that YWD face is further confounded for those who also identify as LGBTQ+. While positive school experiences have grown for LGBTQ+ youth through initiatives (e.g., Gay Straight Alliance, It Gets Better Project, and The Trevor Project), students with the dual identity of LGBTQ+ YWD struggle to feel accepted and comfortable among their LGBTQ+ or any other peers (Morgan, Mancl, Kaffar, & Ferreira, 2011). So, while LGBTQ+ YWD may have similar academic needs as their YWD peers (Dykes & Thomas, 2015), they have unique unmet social-emotional needs that can leave them feeling socially isolated (Arrieta & Palladino, 2014). These unmet needs are why educators and families must advocate for LGBTQ+ YWD—honoring their stated needs without judgment—so they can lead full and inclusive lives in safe and just environments.

Given the complexity of living and learning with intersectional identities, we have found in our work that for true improvement to happen, capacity must be built at the federal, state, school, and classroom levels, as well as in the home, and must begin with asking students what they need to feel safe, honored, and included. We offer the following guidance to improve educational settings for LGBTQ+ YWD from over 20 years of work as a technical assistance provider, teacher, principal, and parent of an LGBTQ+ child with a disability.

State and Local Policies and Planning

Policy change and action planning are core aspects of advocacy and can significantly increase outcomes for all YWD (Kohler, Gothberg, Fowler, & Coyle, 2016; Test, 2016; Test et al., 2009). Examples of supportive policies at the state and local levels are: (a) anti-bullying policies, (b) age-appropriate, comprehensive, anti-oppressive curriculum that includes sexuality education, and (c) anti-discriminatory recruitment and hiring practices that prioritize hiring diverse staff, including LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. Anti-bullying and harassment policies are especially critical for ensuring safe school environments. The National School Climate Survey found that nearly 60% of LGBTQ+ students, a disproportionate number, felt unsafe at school, with almost 100% hearing anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at school (Kosciw, Greytak, Zongrone, Clark, & Truong, 2018). Inclusive policies are necessary to help combat these realities.

Sex education policies differ from state to state (see National Conference of State Legislatures’s State Policies on Sex Education in Schools). Two states, however, have taken a stand for LGBTQ+ and disability inclusive education. California adopted Seth’s Law in response to a 13-year-old student taking his life. Each district is now required to adopt a policy that prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying with the law mandating intervention (CA Education Code Section 234.1(b)(1)). Additionally, California curriculum honors the contributions of LGBTQ+ people in all areas of study (see California Safe Schools). New Jersey mandates that all school districts include instruction and curriculum materials that teach students about the political, economic, and social contributions of LGBTQ+ people and individuals with disabilities (Scragg, 2019). These state-level policies are important because access to inclusive curriculum correlates with higher engagement rates and lower dropout rates for both students who identify as LGBTQ+ and YWD (see The School Completion Toolkit).

Oftentimes, even education leaders with the best intentions don’t know how to design, plan, and implement strategies to address the needs of LGBTQ+ YWD (Kohler & Coyle, 2012; Kohler & Gothberg, 2016). Breitrose (2018) offers The Community Toolbox to assist planning for advocacy efforts. Practices to implement can be found in the Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2.0 (Kohler et al., 2016), Sexuality in Transition Planning (Stevenson, 2015), and Evidence-Based Practices across the Lifespan (Gothberg, Stegenga, & Cate, 2016).

Figure 1. An overview of The Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2.0.

Figure 2. School climate practices as seen in The Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2.0.

Welcoming and Inclusive Schools

At the school level, we can help build a welcoming and inclusive climate for all students by including books and resources highlighting LGBTQ+ people with disabilities. This curriculum should focus on experiences and accomplishments throughout the school curriculum, so their portrayals aren’t limited to their sexual identity or disability. This helps students feel a sense of membership and belonging in their school and community (Burke, Johnston, & Ward, 2017). Inclusive curriculum also promotes social justice, and validates and promotes acceptance of their experiences when they see themselves reflected in texts they read (Dodge & Crutcher, 2015).

While resources are available for elementary school (e.g., FlynntheCat1, 2012; Ryan & Hermann-Wilmarth, 2018; Welcoming Schools, 2019), middle school (e.g., Stepaniuk, 2017), high school (e.g., Razi, 2017) and postsecondary (e.g., Cat & Cress, 2012; Schur & French, n.d.) students, more are needed. With resources in hand, educators must consider the best way to provide sex education curriculum to LGBTQ+ YWD, given that sex education often excludes disabilities. Several resources can assist with embedding sex education holistically, specifically, and authentically (e.g., AMAZE, 2019; GenderSpectrum, 2019; Stangle, 2019).

The strongest predictor for positive outcomes for LGBTQ+ YWD is having supportive educators in their lives (Richmond, 2012). Modeling inclusive language and addressing LGBTQ+ YWD students by their chosen pronouns is one way to show respect for their identity. In addition, a report by the U.S. Department of Education (2016) found that policies that encourage safe, inclusive, and authentic learning from adults who reflect the diversity of students are more likely to influence environments where all students thrive. Unfortunately, discrimination and fear still exist, as seen in the harassment and eventual firing of Brett Bigham, the 2104 Oregon Teacher of the Year, after he came out at a public event (Maxwell, 2016). So bear in mind, the recruitment, hiring, and respectful inclusion of a diverse staff are an explicit display of a school’s values, one that speaks volumes to students who are struggling with their own sexual identity.

Principal and Teacher Preparation

Educators tell us they feel underprepared to support either LGBTQ+ students or YWD, and that preparation programs may inadvertently perpetuate discrimination and homophobia by ignoring LGBTQ+ topics and concerns (Gorsky, Davis, & Reiter, 2011). There is also a lack of training in principal preparation programs related to LGBTQ+ advocacy, including social justice programs (O’Malley & Capper, 2015). So, while teachers and principals are in a unique position to dampen the effects of negative school environments, they are rarely provided the support and strategies needed to do so (Gorsky et al., 2011). Therefore, professional development is needed that specifically addresses LGBTQ+ YWD, especially in the general education setting. This could provide educators with (a) knowledge of self, beliefs, and bias, with an awareness of how they shape their students’ experiences and (b) knowledge about the LGBTQ+ YWD community. Professional development should start with understanding the preferred language used to identify the group, and extend to how to creating a safe and inclusive culture.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) offers free anti-bias teaching resources, such as A Classroom of Difference, which focuses on inclusion and school climate by addressing issues of bias and bullying at the student, family, and educator levels. Key lesson plans include Caitlyn Jenner and The Power of Coming Out (ADL, 2015) and The Sound of Silence in Football: Derrick Coleman (ADL, 2014). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also provides free resources for activism, including the Transgender Youth Know Your Rights card that addresses respect, pronouns, restrooms, and more (ACLU, 2014). Lee Airton also offers resources including (a) They Is My Pronoun (2016) and (b) Gender: Your Guide (2018).

Empowering Students at School

Self-determination/self-advocacy is one of the 14 evidence-based predictors of post-school success (Gothberg, Stegenga, & Cate, 2017; Test et al., 2009) and factors into students’ postsecondary success (Field & Parker, 2017). Empowering LGBTQ+ YWD with the skills needed to navigate in and outside of school successfully will help create a pathway to success throughout their lives. The school’s approach to inclusive policies, culture, curriculum, and language will influence their success. Just as policies are implemented to support gender neutral bathrooms and GSAs, policies are needed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all students regarding their sexual orientation or gender. It is also important that there are safeguards for this information so that it is not shared without the student’s permission. One example is Michigan’s State Board of Education Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for LGBTQ+ Students, which addresses the behaviors of teachers, counselors, nurses, and all others with access to student records.

Empowering Families at Home

Families are often the best advocates for their children (Trusty & Brown, 2005), so family acceptance is critical for all youth, and LGBTQ+ youth, in particular. Family acceptance is also one of the strongest predictors of their mental and physical well-being outcomes (McCormick & Baldridge, 2019). So, families need to know where their child is developmentally and provide the necessary resources at the appropriate time (Wilke & Wilke, 2010). They need to gain an understanding of state laws and school policies that affect their LGBTQ+ and/or YWD (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2019) and advocate for them when necessary. When families fail to accept or advocate for their child, the confidence and support of an advocate at school becomes critically important.

Our educational system and our nation are best served by being representative of the vast diversity of the American people (American Federation of Teachers, 2013), so all youth feel safe and welcome. Yet, many LGBTQ+ staff and students still experience the negative impacts associated with homophobia, discrimination, and perceived or actual threats to their physical safety (American Federation of Teachers, 2013). If the lives of our LGBTQ+ YWD are to improve, policy makers, educators and families need to work together as partners in this fight for equity—and the conversation should include the voices of these uniquely vulnerable students—because, in America, every young person regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability should have an opportunity to a free appropriate public education and to prepare for a future of their choosing.

References

Airton, L. (2016). They Is My Pronoun. Retrieved from https://theyismypronoun.wordpress.com/author/leeairton.
Airton, L. (2018). Gender: Your Guide. Avon, MA: Simon and Schuster.
AMAZE (2019). Disability and sexuality [video]. Retrieved from https://amaze.org/video/puberty-disability-sexuality/#.
American Civil Liberties Union (2014). Transgender Youth Know Your Rights card. Retrieved from https://www.aclusocal.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/transgender-youth-KYR-card-Aug-2014-WEB.pdf.
American Federation of Teachers (2013). Creating a positive work environment for LGBT faculty: What higher education unions can do. Washington D.C. Retrieved from https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/genderdiversity_lgbt0413.pdf.
Anti-Defamation League (2014). The sound of silence in football: Derrick Coleman. Retrieved from https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/lesson-plans/the-sound-of-silence-in-football-derrick-coleman.
Anti-Defamation League (2015). Caitlyn Jenner and the power of coming out. Retrieved from https://www.adl.org/education/educator-resources/lesson-plans/caitlyn-jenner-and-the-power-of-coming-out.
Arrieta, S. A., & Palladino, J. M. (2014). Special education teachers' perceptions of students with emotional impairments and their same sex behaviors: A multiple case study. Ypsilanti, MI: Eastern Michigan University Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights.
Breitrose, P. (2018). Getting an advocacy campaign off the group. The Community Toolbox. Lawrence, K: University of Kansas.
Burke, A., Johnston, I., & Ward, A. (2017). Challenging Stories: Literature for Social Justice in the Classroom. Toronto, Canada: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
Burr, V. (2015). Social constructionism (3^rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315715421
Cat & Cress (2012). Books about lesbians with physical disabilities. Good Lesbian Books. Retrieved from http://www.goodlesbianbooks.com/2012/07/books-about-lesbians-with-physical.html.
das Nair, R., & Butler, C. (Eds.). (2012). Intersectionality, sexuality and psychological therapies: Working with lesbian, gay and bisexual diversity. West Sussex, U.K.: John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119967613
Dodge, A. M. & Crutcher, P. A. (2015). Inclusive classrooms for LGBTQ+ students. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 59(1), 95-105. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.433
Dykes, F., & Thomas, S. (2015). Meeting the needs of the hidden minority: Transition planning tips for LGBTQ+ youth. Preventing School Failure, 59(3), 179-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2014.903462
East, L. J., & Orchard, T. R. (2014). Somebody else’s job: Experiences of sex education among health professionals, parents and adolescents with physical disabilities in southwestern Ontario. Sexuality and Disability, 32, 335-350. https://doi:10.1007/s11195-013-9289-5
Ferri, B. A., & Connor, D. J. (2010). “I was the special ed. girl”: Urban working-class young women of color. Gender and Education, 22(1), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540250802612688
Field, S., & Parker, D. (2017). Becoming self-determined: Creating thoughtful learners in a standards-driven, admissions-frenzied culture. Huntersville, NC: AHEAD.
FlynntheCat1 (2012). Picture books about gay and lesbian families [blog]. Retrieved from https://hubpages.com/literature/gay-picture-books.
GenderSpectrum (2019). Principles of gender-inclusive puberty and health education. Retrieved from https://www.genderspectrum.org/staging/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/GenderSpectrum_2019_report_WEB_final.pdf.
Gorsky, P. C., Davis, S. N., & Reiter, A. (2011). Heterosexism, homophobia, and other LGBTQ+ concerns in U.S. multicultural teacher education coursework. Journal of LGBT Youth, 10, 224-248. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2013.798986
Gothberg, J., Stegenga, S., & Cate, D. (2016). Evidence-based Practices Across the Lifespan. Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University.
Gothberg, J., Stegenga, S., & Cate, D. (2017). Rethinking the Paradigm. In A. L. Ellis (Ed.), Transitioning Children with Disabilities (pp. 129-144). Rotterdam, NY: Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6351-134-6_9
Kohler, P. & Coyle, J. (2012). NSTTAC Transition Institute Toolkit. Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University.
Kohler, P. & Gothberg, J. (2016). NTACT Evaluation Toolkit. Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University.
Kohler, P. & Gothberg, J., Fowler, C., & Coyle, J. (2016). Taxonomy for Transition Planning 2.0. Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University.
Kortering, L. J., Braziel, P. M., & McClannon, T. W. (2010). Career ambitions: A comparison of youth with and without SLD. Remedial and Special Education, 31(4), 230-240. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/0741932508324404
Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Zongrone, A. D., Clark, C. M., & Truong, N. L. (2018). The 2017 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation's Schools. Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). New York, NY 10001.
McCormick A., & Baldridge, S. (2019). Family acceptance and faith: Understanding the acceptance processes of parents of LGBTQ youth. Social Work & Christianity, 46, 32-40.
Maxwell, C. (2016, July 5). Award-winning teacher talks settlement: White House visit. Windy City Times. Retrieved from http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Award-winning-teacher-talks-settlement-White-House-visit/55762.html.
Morgan, J. J., Mancl, D. B., Kaffar, B. J., & Ferreira, D. (2011). Creating sage environments for YWD who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender. Intervention School and Clinic, 47, 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451211406546
National Conference of State Legislatures (2019). State Policies on Sex Education in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx.
O’Malley, M. P., & Capper, C. A. (2015). A measure of the quality of educational leadership programs for social justice: Integrating LGBTIQ identities into principal preparation. Educational Administration Quarterly, 51(2), 290-330. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X14532468
Razi, A. (2017). Recommended books with disabled main characters. Queer Books for Teens. Retrieved from http://queerbooksforteens.com/best-of-lists/books-with-disabled-main-characters.
Richmond, P. (2012). Almost Invisible: Representation of LGBT Students in Special Education Settings (Doctoral dissertation, University of Washington).
Ryan, C. L., & Hermann-Wilmarth, J. M. (2018). Reading the rainbow: LGBTQ+-inclusive literacy instruction in the elementary classroom. New York: Teachers College Press.
Schur, D. & French, R. (n.d.). Disability and GLBT resources. San Francisco, CA: Benchmark Institute. Retrieved from http://www.benchmarkinstitute.org/glbt/disability-and-glbt-resources.htm.
Scragg, S. (2019, Feb. 4). New Jersey governor signs bill approving LGBT-inclusive school curriculum. TAPintoNewark. Retrieved from https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/articles/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-approving-lgbt-inclusive-school-curriculum-19.
Sinclair, J., Unruh, D., Lindstrom, L., & Scanlon, D. (2015). Barriers to sexuality for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A literature review. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 50, 3-16. Retrieved from http://daddcec.org/Portals/0/CEC/Autism_Disabilities/Research/Publications/Education_Training_Development_Disabilities/Full_Journals/ETADD_50(1)_3-16.pdf
Stepaniuk, C. (2017, May 5). 14 more LGBTQ+ middle grade books. BookRiot. Retrieved from https://bookriot.com/2017/05/05/14-more-LGBTQ+-middle-grade-books. https://doi.org/10.5860/cal.14n1.14
Stevenson, B. (2015). Sexuality in transition planning: Annotated bibliography. Charlotte, NC: National Technical Assistance Center on Transition.
Stangle, J. (2019). Family life and sexual health (FLASH) lesson plans for special education. Seattle, WA: Seattle School District No. 1 and The County of King. Retrieved from https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/family-planning/education/FLASH/special-education.aspx.
Test, D. (2016). Evidence-based practices and predictors in secondary transition: What we know and what we still need to know. Charlotte, NC: National Technical Assistance Center on Transition.
Test, D. W., Fowler, C. H., Richter, S. M., White, J., Mazzotti, V., Walker, A. R., Kohler, P., & Kortering, L. (2009). Evidence-based practices in secondary transition. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 32(2), 115-128. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728809336859
Trusty, J., & Brown, D. (2005). Advocacy competencies for professional school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 8, 259-265.
U.S. Department of Education (2016). The State of Racial Diversity in the Educator Workforce. Washington D.C. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/highered/racial-diversity/state-racial-diversity-workforce.pdf.
Welcoming Schools (2019). Great diverse children’s books with transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive children. Retrieved from https://assets2.hrc.org/welcoming-schools/documents/WS_Diverse_Picture_Books_Transgender_Non-Binary.pdf
Wilke, N., & Wilke, D. (2010) Identity, disability, and sexuality: Reflections from a son and his father. Impact, 23(2), 1, 34-35.

�� the authors

June Gothberg is an Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University. Her research-to-practice work focuses on supporting young people with unique abilities and life experiences. When June is not teaching graduate level research methods, she is federally-funded to support state and local education, rehabilitation, and correctional agencies to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, court-involved youth, and others at-risk.

LaSonja Roberts is an Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University in the Educational Leadership Research and Technology Department. Her research agenda focuses on leader preparation and retention, specifically a leader’s ability to create environments that foster the learning and well-being of educators and students. LaSonja has had the privilege to teach and lead in California, Mississippi, and Florida.

Mary Ebejer is a Faculty Specialist at Western Michigan University. As the graduate writing coach for the College of Education and Human Development, her work focuses on providing much-needed writing and self-efficacy support to students from all backgrounds, but particularly non-traditional students, international students, and those from other marginalized communities, as they pursue their masters and doctoral degrees.

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June Gothberg and colleagues point out that research often focuses on school-related issues for LGBTQ students or students with disabilities, but rarely focuses on LGBTQ students with disabilities. They discuss how evidence-based promising practices (EBPPs) can help these students. // June Gothberg y sus colegas señalan que las investigaciones de estudiantes LGBTQ o estudiantes con discapacidades frecuentemente se enfocan en cuestiones relacionadas con la escuela, pero rara vez se enfocan en estudiantes LGBTQ con discapacidades. Ellos mencionan cómo “evidence-based promising practices” (EBPPs) pueden ayudar a estos estudiantes.

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curriculum

Growing a Gender-Inclusive Biology Curriculum: A Framework and Reflections for Secondary Science Teachers

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Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students with Disabilities

State and Local Policies and Planning

Welcoming and Inclusive Schools

Principal and Teacher Preparation

Empowering Students at School

Empowering Families at Home

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