News
New Training Program Targets Potential Biases Against LGBTQ Students
T
he U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague” letter last May reminding school districts that
transgender students are protected under Title IX guidelines prohibiting sexual discrimination. It also protects their privacy and their gender identity. Te latter includes using proper names and pronouns on the school bus that match the student’s gender identity, regardless of what’s listed in student records and other documents, including those for student transportation. As a result, the New York Association for
Pupil Transportation and the CYR Founda- tion commissioned the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute to develop the new train-
ing, “Transporting LGBTQ Students.” Te acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. Te first classes were held in November and December, with more opportunities running weekly this month through at least April. Te course covers key federal laws, as well as student behavior management and a defini- tion of terms and concepts as they pertain to students. It also covers personal values, as a student’s gender identity may conflict the values held by their bus driver. “Where I see problem for transporters is the
driver’s attitudes, personal opinions and how they cope with it,” said Kathleen Furneaux, executive director of PTSI and the training’s
author. “How do they cope with the emotions of dropping off a boy at Christmas and picking her up in the new year as a girl? Te relationship changes, and drivers need some preparation.” In her view, Furneaux said
children have fewer problems with LGBTQ than do adults, though certainly many students will zero in on any difference, perceived or not, as a subject bullying and harassment “in the name of fun.” “Kids have far less problems with this than we do as adults,” she added. “Saying that, kids will zero in on a difference of any kind and use that as a target for bullying and harassment in the name of fun. But for most part, the G and L is gener- ally accepted, it’s the T and the new attention it’s getting that is what is promulgating this to the surface. Adults are up in arms about the issue, and its generated a lot of adult discussion. I’m sure this is happen- ing around kids.”
While not specifically in response
to LGBTQ issues, the National PTA, American Association of School Administrators and six other organizations recently issued a call to action for school district leaders, ad- ministrators, principals, teachers and parents to ensure “specific groups of students” who are being targeted feel welcome by their schools and feel safe. “Tese actions should specifi- cally affirm the right of all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or religion to be educated in an environment free from fear, violence and intimidation,” the statement said. ●
18 School Transportation News • JANUARY 2017 CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
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