As the district celebrates and recognizes Pride Month, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) have launched a new set of investments to ensure the district’s LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, connected and supported in school. announced.
“We know that the best learning environments for our youth are environments where they feel safe and support themselves,” said Mayor Bowser. “Particularly at a time when youth across the country are seeing and experiencing a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, these investments will help ensure that our schools are places where all students are loved, supported and safe. feel.”
OSSE will build on its existing programming and invest $764,000 in federal stimulus funds over three years:
- create resources and provide additional professional learning opportunities for district teachers;
- Developing inclusive supportive communities;
- To expand training on health issues for teachers and youth; You
- Support DC Health’s youth-focused school programs in middle and high schools.
State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant said, “Many LGBTQ+ youth are negatively affected as a result of social stigma and a lack of awareness, competence, support and resources among adults responsible for their development.” “We must do better for our students. Through these investments, we hope to equip our schools with the knowledge and resources needed to create a more supportive environment, including the physical and mental health and socio-emotional needs of LGBTQ+ students.” Huh.
OSSE has already partnered with a local organization, Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL), which aims to provide teachers with basic knowledge and guidance for free in order to create a more deeply supportive classroom environment for LGBTQ+ students. Offers virtual professional learning sessions. ,
According to the DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the health risk behaviors of youth, LGBTQ+ students, and DC youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/o transgender, those who have suicidal thoughts such as disproportionately experience health risks. and sexual violence.
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