Healthy and Safe School Environment continued
Table 8.1 highlights practices specific to supporting LGBTQ students, such as prohibiting harassment based on perceived sexual
orientation or gender identity and encouraging staff professional development on safe and supportive school environments. As the
table shows, secondary schools are more likely than both elementary and combined schools to implement such practices, while
combined schools (that serve secondary grades) are more likely to do so than elementary schools.
TABLE 8.1
Percentage of schools with practices to support LGBTQ students
Elementary
Secondary
Combined
Prohibit harassment based on a student’s perceived or actual sexual orientation
or gender identity
60%
94%
70%
Identify “safe spaces” where LGBTQ youth can receive support from
administrators, teachers, or other school staff
39%
82%
50%
Encourage staff to attend professional development on safe and supportive
school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity
35%
61%
46%
Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience in
providing social and psychological services to LGBTQ youth
28%
70%
40%
Facilitate access to providers not on school property who have experience in
providing health services to LGBTQ youth
22%
58%
36%
In an effort to promote positive school climate, the majority of all schools incorporate
materials and activities that reflect the diversity of the student body, provide
anonymous methods for students to report harassment and bullying, and hold
school-wide opportunities for students to share in diverse cultures and experiences.
• 15 •