Effect School Environments Have on LGBTQ+ Youth

At a glance

  • Learning Objective 3: improve knowledge and awareness of the effect school environments have on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth.
A corkboard with a paper target attached and a push pin in the center.

Knowledge assessment

For the following statements, please indicate whether you believe each statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Items True False
Some school-based risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth may include lack of school safety, peer bullying, harassment, and stigmatization.
Some school-based protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth may include school connectedness (a student’s belief that adults/others in the school care about them) and inclusive sexual health education.
Research finds that school-based protective factors, such as school connectedness, may reduce high-risk substance use among LGBTQ+ students.

*Check mark denotes correct answer

Attitudes assessment

Please read each statement and mark your level of agreement or disagreement, ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree).

Items Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
I possess skills and knowledge necessary to identify school-based risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth. 1 2 3 4 5
I am more confident than before in my ability to identify school-based risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth. 1 2 3 4 5
I possess skills and knowledge necessary to identify school-based protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth. 1 2 3 4 5
I am more confident than before in my ability to identify school-based protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth. 1 2 3 4 5

Practices assessment

For the following statements, please indicate whether you believe each statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Items True False
I [do not allow/do not intend to allow] bullying, harassment, or stigmatizing language and behaviors from either students or other adults, in my classroom or learning space.
I [use/intend to use] a behavioral management plan (e.g., establishing classroom routines, increasing individualized student support) that uses inclusive practices to support LGBTQ+ youth.
I [include/ intend to include] visual labels (e.g., rainbow flags, pink triangles, unisex bathroom signs) in my classroom or learning space to mark it as a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth.