Dignity for All

Safeguarding LGBT Students
Peter M. DeWitt - Corwin Author and Consultant
Dignity for All
March 2012 | 136 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452284002
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781452205908
Available from January 0001

Description

All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered are susceptible to harassment from their peers and are at high risk of dropping out of school. This book provides professional development ideas and real-life vignettes that will help educational leaders foster a more caring school culture not only for LGBT students, but for all students. Peter DeWitt presents specific strategies for school leaders that include:

  • Implementing a student code of conduct and school board policies to safeguard students
  • Helping staff members recognize and respond to overt and covert LGBT issues
  • Professional development guidelines to equip staff to intervene
  • Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum
  • Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings

This practical and compassionate guide contains numerous cases and examples, strategies and templates for codes of conduct (including the NY Code), book study questions, and links to pertinent articles, websites, and blogs for further information. Dignity for All helps inform educators of the issues and methods for building acceptance in a diverse world.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. The Silent Minority
  • Our School Experiences
  • What It Means to Be Gay
  • The Need for Role Models
  • Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students
  • Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 2. Bullying of LGBT Students
  • Where Bullying Behavior Begins
  • Cyberbullying
  • Setting the Tone in School
  • Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 3. The Role of Schools
  • The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students
  • Keeping Students Safe
  • Teacher Biases
  • Professional Development
  • Parent Outreach
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 4. Curriculum Matters
  • Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level
  • Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students
  • Curriculum
  • Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education
  • English Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying
  • After-School Enrichment
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 5. Gay-Straight Alliances
  • Why Schools Should Offer a GSA
  • The Parameters of Creating a GSA
  • Events Held by a GSA
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 6. Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct
  • Laws That Support School Decisions
  • School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students
  • A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct
  • Creating School Board Policies
  • How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • Questions to Ponder
  • 7. Important Stories From Higher Education

Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

References

References

Index

Index

Description

All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered are susceptible to harassment from their peers and are at high risk of dropping out of school. This book provides professional development ideas and real-life vignettes that will help educational leaders foster a more caring school culture not only for LGBT students, but for all students. Peter DeWitt presents specific strategies for school leaders that include:

  • Implementing a student code of conduct and school board policies to safeguard students
  • Helping staff members recognize and respond to overt and covert LGBT issues
  • Professional development guidelines to equip staff to intervene
  • Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum
  • Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings

This practical and compassionate guide contains numerous cases and examples, strategies and templates for codes of conduct (including the NY Code), book study questions, and links to pertinent articles, websites, and blogs for further information. Dignity for All helps inform educators of the issues and methods for building acceptance in a diverse world.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. The Silent Minority
  • Our School Experiences
  • What It Means to Be Gay
  • The Need for Role Models
  • Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students
  • Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 2. Bullying of LGBT Students
  • Where Bullying Behavior Begins
  • Cyberbullying
  • Setting the Tone in School
  • Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 3. The Role of Schools
  • The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students
  • Keeping Students Safe
  • Teacher Biases
  • Professional Development
  • Parent Outreach
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 4. Curriculum Matters
  • Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level
  • Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students
  • Curriculum
  • Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education
  • English Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying
  • After-School Enrichment
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 5. Gay-Straight Alliances
  • Why Schools Should Offer a GSA
  • The Parameters of Creating a GSA
  • Events Held by a GSA
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 6. Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct
  • Laws That Support School Decisions
  • School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students
  • A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct
  • Creating School Board Policies
  • How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • Questions to Ponder
  • 7. Important Stories From Higher Education

Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

References

References

Index

Index

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Dignity for All

Safeguarding LGBT Students

Peter M. DeWitt
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March 2012 | 136 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781452205908 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452284002 $35.00

All students deserve a safe, respectful school environment

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered are susceptible to harassment from their peers and are at high risk of dropping out of school. This book provides professional development ideas and real-life vignettes that will help educational leaders foster a more caring school culture not only for LGBT students, but for all students. Peter DeWitt presents specific strategies for school leaders that include:

  • Implementing a student code of conduct and school board policies to safeguard students
  • Helping staff members recognize and respond to overt and covert LGBT issues
  • Professional development guidelines to equip staff to intervene
  • Ways to include appropriate LGBT topics in the curriculum
  • Supporting Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in middle and high school settings

This practical and compassionate guide contains numerous cases and examples, strategies and templates for codes of conduct (including the NY Code), book study questions, and links to pertinent articles, websites, and blogs for further information. Dignity for All helps inform educators of the issues and methods for building acceptance in a diverse world.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • 1. The Silent Minority
  • Our School Experiences
  • What It Means to Be Gay
  • The Need for Role Models
  • Harassment and Discrimination of LGBT Students
  • Negative Stereotypes of LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 2. Bullying of LGBT Students
  • Where Bullying Behavior Begins
  • Cyberbullying
  • Setting the Tone in School
  • Safeguarding and Supporting LGBT Students
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 3. The Role of Schools
  • The Impact Schools Can Have on LGBT Students
  • Keeping Students Safe
  • Teacher Biases
  • Professional Development
  • Parent Outreach
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 4. Curriculum Matters
  • Diverse Literature at an Age-Appropriate Level
  • Supportive Learning Environments for LGBT Students
  • Curriculum
  • Elementary School Gender Differences and Character Education
  • English Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Guest Speakers Who Address Bullying
  • After-School Enrichment
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 5. Gay-Straight Alliances
  • Why Schools Should Offer a GSA
  • The Parameters of Creating a GSA
  • Events Held by a GSA
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • 6. Following Through: School Board Policies and Codes of Conduct
  • Laws That Support School Decisions
  • School Leaders Embracing the Sexual Diversity of Students
  • A Shared Vision: Creating School Codes of Conduct
  • Creating School Board Policies
  • How Parents, Staff, and Students Can Help
  • Conclusion
  • Action Steps
  • Discussion Questions
  • Questions to Ponder
  • 7. Important Stories From Higher Education
  • Appendix: NASP Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"This book is a valuable resource guide for schools considering a course of action. It is recommended for all high schools seeking progressive change."
Kevin Beach
"Dignity for All provides educators with critical information on the experiences of LGBT students in our schools and how to create safe and affirming spaces for these youth. Grounded in his experience as a teacher and school administrator, Peter DeWitt makes vital knowledge accessible for those on the front lines in schools."
Eliza Byard, Executive Director, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
“Leaders set the tone for their buildings. Peter DeWitt offers an important resource for teachers and administrators that will help create an inclusive school for all students.”
Todd Whitaker, Professor, Dept of Educational Leadership, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
"In this book, a group of students that is often misunderstood and frequently maligned finds a voice. Educators whose reach extends to every student will discover here a deeper understanding of these students’ needs as well as sound advice on addressing those needs."
Carol Ann Tomlinson, William Clay Parrish, Jr. Professor, University of Virginia Curry School of Education
"Dignity for All is a wise book that will help administrators, teachers, and parents work together to make sure that our schools are welcoming for all of our students. Peter DeWitt provides the insight and ideas to lead the way in including LGBT students."
Diane Ravitch, Research Professor, New York University

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