https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7 en-us 2022-07-19 12:37:56 UTC 2025-10-26 06:00:34 UTC hello@padlet.com akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246190852 My professional perspective of education is that as a professional we should conduct our work in an effective and professional manner while also working to improve skills, collaborate with parents and colleagues, and think creatively to make instruction effective. 

The targeted audience is the administration of Cinco Ranch High School 

The topic I chose is Education Equity/Equality among  LGBTQ students because many times we see students in these populations having negative educational experiences, discrimination, and not receiving the same opportunities as their peers. Even though many people may not agree with LGBTQ in general, students within this population still deserve receiving the same resources and opportunities in school and they should be provided with a safe and welcoming environment where they are able to learn. ]]> 2022-07-19 13:25:19 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246190852 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246252222 1. Why the topic is important: This is a very prevalent issue in our world today and especially in education. Many students within these populations often times feel discriminated against, unsafe and not welcomed, judged, and not having the same opportunities as their peers due to them being "different" from the norm. When they are not given the same opportunities as their peers, students in these populations begin to have negative thoughts and feelings that will effect their mental, personal, social, and academic wellness and often times leads to negative consequences such as suicide. But it is up to the school counselor to ensure that all students' needs are being met to ensure overall wellness of the student. 

2. Best Practices:
1. Develop, implement, and manage guidance curriculum. 
2. Consult/Counsel students and parents 
3. Responsive Services 
4. System Support 

3. An area emerging that educators should watch is the "Don't Say Gay Bill" that prohibits discussions and teachings of lessons that talk about a student's gender identity and sexual preference. This will play a large role in education because parents will try and sue school districts if it is taught, but then parents of student's who do fall in this population are upset due to the lack of protection provided to their students. 
4. I interviewed Susie DeYoung; Counselor at Cinco Ranch High School. https://www.katyisd.org/domain/1821

]]> 2022-07-19 14:57:41 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246252222 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246883818 Professional Association: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Summary: The purpose of this association is to advocate for a safe and supportive educational environment for all students within this population.

Citation: Championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education. GLSEN. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.glsen.org/ 

Link: https://www.glsen.org/#:~:text=GLSEN%20believes%20that%20every%20student,make%20this%20right%20a%20reality.]]> 2022-07-20 12:22:27 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246883818 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246884111 When it comes to LGBTQ and the classroom, many government officials are prohibiting the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in the elementary classrooms, which is causing a lot of outrage among many advocates within the community because of the lack of safety and equity being provided to students in this population in an educational setting.

In the EdWeek article, it is found that many educators are divided on the idea of teaching LGBTQ topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom because some think it is necessary to create a safe, positive, and welcoming environment for students and it allows students to be themselves without feeling any negative judgement or consequences from it. However, on the other hand some teachers feel as if elementary students are too young to learn about it at this age and that it should be something that is taught at home by parents and that it should not be the responsibility of the teachers to teach students about this.

Reference: Najarro, I. (2022, January 31). Teachers are divided on teaching LGBTQ topics. Education Week. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from 
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/educators-divided-on-whether-schools-should-teach-about-lgbtq-topics-survey-finds/2021/12]]> 2022-07-20 12:23:15 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246884111 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246884268 The LGBTQ population is steadily increasing in schools and many schools, teachers, administrators, other students, and the community do not know exactly how to handle situations with students within the LGBTQ population and how to provide the most support for these students so they have the same education equality and opportunities as their peers.

In a recent Edutopia article, many teachers are calling for more training on how to appropriately and effectively support LGBTQ students in the classroom to ensure they feel safe, welcomed, and heard while also ensuring they are receiving education equity. When teachers ask for trainings on how to handle this, many districts and administrators are "reluctant" to providing trainings for teachers. Without appropriate trainings on how to handle this, many teachers feel lost and that their hands are tied but feel the best thing they can do for these students is to provide a safe environment in the classroom where there is no judgement and the LGBTQ students feel like they are being given the same opportunity as their peers and that they feel included in the classroom. Unfortunately, whenever issues with LGBTQ students goes unhandled or unnoticed, it leads to many avoidable consequences such as suicide or self-harm.

Reference: Minero, E. (2019, April 19). Schools struggle to support LGBTQ students. Edutopia. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/schools-struggle-support-lgbtq-students ]]> 2022-07-20 12:23:30 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246884268 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246902107 Citation: U.S. Constitution., amend XIV, § 2

Link: https://uscode.house.gov/

This section of the constitution is part of the Equal Protection Clause in which all students regardless of disability, race, sex, religion, origin are allowed the same opportunities as everyone else and should not be denied anything or should not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, race, sex, origin. ]]> 2022-07-20 13:03:33 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246902107 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246903886 Citation: Tex. Educ. Code § 1.001-1.002
Link:https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/SDocs/EDUCATIONCODE.pdf

All students that fall under special populations should be provided same opportunities and not be discriminated against for any reason. It is important that schools and districts are providing equal access and opportunity for all students who fall under special populations. 

According to the Texas Education Code, all educational institutions including higher education institutions are obligated to provide equal access and opportunity to all students regardless of sex, gender, religion, and origin.






]]> 2022-07-20 13:06:53 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2246903886 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247879373 Citation: Plessy v Ferguson, 163 US 537 (1896)

Link: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/plessy-v-ferguson

Plessy v Ferguson is a national court case that came to light when there were issues of segregation specifically in an educational setting. 

This court case specifically prohibits the discrimination or segregation of students based on specific factors. All students should be afforded the same opportunities without being segregated from the rest of their peers. 

This is an important case to uphold in the educational setting because there should be no segregation occurring in the classroom all students attend classes together and have the same opportunities no matter what. ]]> 2022-07-22 01:12:42 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247879373 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247879483 Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681

Link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/08/executive-order-on-guaranteeing-an-educational-environment-free-from-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-sex-including-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity/

In 2021, there was an executive order signed and put into place that protects those who fall under Title IX. 

Title IX is a very prevalent and evolving issue that we see on a daily basis and especially in education. In education, we will come across a variety of situations that fall under Title IX and we will continue to see how Title IX grows, changes, and evolves while also learning how to appropriately and effectively handle these situations that we may encounter. ]]> 2022-07-22 01:12:52 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247879483 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894053 Katy ISD provides a link to a document about their Title IX district/school policies and the services they provide to those students who fall under the Title IX category and also provides information about Title IX itself. 
https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/594?filename=ffh%28local%29.pdf

The Katy ISD student handbook also provides information about policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender, sex, origin, and religion. It also provides information about the policies for harassment and retaliation if it occurs in school. 

Katy ISD provides an equal amount of men's and women's activities for both males and females to have the option and opportunity to participate in. 

The Katy ISD student handbook also details discipline sanctions regarding Title IX, harassment and retaliation. 

Katy ISD Student Handbook: https://www.katyisd.org/cms/lib/TX50010808/Centricity/domain/4/documents/Student_Handbook.pdf]]> 2022-07-22 01:34:16 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894053 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894316 According to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, students have the right to be respected and treated with dignity and be provided equitable access to a school counseling program that encourages and promotes academic, career, and social and emotional development.

Schools, District, and School Personnel must work to provide a safe environment which is an inclusive and healthy environment that is free from bullying, judgement, abuse of any kind, and discrimination.

Reference:
American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA Ethical standards for school counselors. American School Counselor Association. 
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)]]> 2022-07-22 01:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894316 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894582 Through all of the research I conducted regarding educational equity for LGBTQ students; I have learned a great deal of how all of this connects to mine and my peers educational journey. 

Through my experience as a high school special education teacher, that students within the LGBTQ are treated differently and often times discriminated against even though we may not realize or notice it. What I learned is that with the implementation of several laws and clauses that has afforded many people equal access to curriculum and other educational resources and opportunities to educational activities that may not have been afforded to me and several other people that allowed women and many other minority and special populations to participate in the same opportunities as others. 

I have also learned that as the laws evolve so is the disciplinary action and consequences of those who do harass and discriminate against others on the basis of sex, origin, religion, or gender. ]]> 2022-07-22 01:35:02 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894582 akincaid10 https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894832 1. Providing a safe environment for staff and students that is free from discrimination, harassment, abuse and bullying for any student. 

2. Promote and encourage an environment of inclusivity and diversity in which teachers are encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the classroom through their lessons by promoting student acceptance of those who maybe different from them. 

3. Schools need to provide equal access and opportunities to all students for sporting and educational activities. They cannot provide one gender or sex more opportunities than the other. 

4. All educational staff must uphold and maintain student confidentiality unless it puts the student in immediate danger. 

5. All school/district employees should report any abuse, harm, bullying, or discrimination as soon as they hear about it or see signs of it. 

6. Disciplinary actions can be administered if the district handbook or policies are violated by students or staff on the basis of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. ]]> 2022-07-22 01:35:22 UTC https://padlet.com/akincaid10/6tknkifi2wn3oxi7/wish/2247894832