Should Kids be exposed Essays - Education, LGBT, Gender

Should Kids be exposed: Unfortunately name-calling and using anti-gay slurs starts as early as kindergarten, first- and second-grades. In the film you can see children at a very young age have already been introduced to information about LGBT people, which is often based on misinformation and negative stereotypes. When teachers are silent about gay and lesbian people, students learn from this omission that it is acceptable to use anti-gay put-downs. Anti-gay slurs are hurtful and unacceptable and they affect the lives of people in every school and community. Teachers are not introducing a new topic, they are helping young students understand bias and prejudice and learn to use respectful language. Educators are creating inclusive school communities that prevent name-calling, teasing and bullying and provide safe learning environments for all children. Do parents and guardians need to be notified if LGBT people or families are discussed in the classroom? In many school districts, there are guidelines about what classroom activities require parent/guardian notification. Most school districts do not have a requirement for notifying parents and guardians for lessons about respect and diversity. In fact, many districts require schools to be proactive in addressing bias and prejudice and ensuring students safety. Discussions related to sexuality and reproduction are examples of topics that often require parental permission. But these topics are not a part of the curriculum advocated in It's Elementary-Talking About Gay Issues In School. The focus of LGBT-inclusive education is to create respectful and welcoming learning environments for all children by communicating that LGBT people are part of our communities and that anti-LGBT discrimination is harmful to everyone. However, we strongly recommend involving parents and guardians as part of school-wide efforts to be more inclusive. As important members of the school community, families can help reinforce the concepts of respect at home, help answer questions, assist in classroom discussions and be actively engaged in making the school and community safe for all children and their families. Can parents/guardians "opt out" of their children's participation in school instruction that includes LGBT-inclusive lessons? Most school districts have limited and clear guidelines about offering parents and guardians the right to have their children "opt out" of specific school instruction. Programs that are designed to encourage respect and address bias typically are not included in "opt out" policies. By not including all students in LGBT-inclusive lessons, schools run the risk of conveying a message that it is somehow acceptable to engage in hurtful and disrespectful behavior when it comes to LGBT people. We strongly discourage schools from allowing students to miss lessons where people and families-not sexual practices-are discussed. Often times those students are among those who might benefit the most from being with thIs talking about LGBT issues the same as sex education?