The Role of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum in Promoting Equity and Understanding in Schools.

Essay Instructions:

You will choose one topic of interest to investigate and reflect upon through an intersectional lens, ultimately writing a 10-page paper (excluding references) on the topic. On the last day of synchronous class (over zoom, Wednesday, July 31, 2024) you will develop a mini-lesson to engage the class in learning about your chosen topic. Examples of potential topics can include but are not limited to: racism, sexism, gender identity/sexuality, classism, ageism, ableism, linguicism, immigration, coloniality, etc. You can choose to reframe the topic in the way that most resonates with you. For example you could choose to frame your topic as racial justice rather than racism. Since this paper is written through an intersectional lens, though you will select one “focal” topic, you will likely bring in a range of interconnected issues (i.e., how sexism intersects with racism). The guidelines for completing the Topic of Interest paper are as follows: The entire paper must be formatted using APA. Use at least one course text as a resource. Find additional literature (3-4 sources) to support your investigation. Connect to personal and/or professional experiences. The paper should be between 7 and 10 pages. The paper will be graded based on the following criteria: Includes all required components (5 points). Your paper should have both an introduction and a conclusion (approximately ½ page each). The introduction should clearly map out the structure of your paper, giving the reader a preview of what’s to come. The conclusion should leave the reader with an understanding of why this topic matters in the field of education (think of answering a “so what?” question). Please use subheadings for each of the sections below (you can be creative about how you name the section). Be sure to include a reference page with all of your bibliographic entries in APA format (minimum 5 sources). Definition of your topic (5 points): Use at least three sources from outside class to develop a clear conceptual understanding of your topic and how it has been understood across time in the U.S. context. For example, if your paper is on the topic of racism or racial justice, you will want to use this section to introduce the reader to different ways that racism has been defined (perhaps in different contexts or by different groups, such as legal definitions, definitions advanced by racial justice organizations, or academic definitions introduced by scholars). In this section, you will be illustrating the conceptual lens that you are using to understand your topic (different definitions of racism, for example, would lead to different recommendations for policy or practice). Approximately 2 pages. Debates about your topic in K-12 schools (5 points): Discuss both (1) how the topic affects the experiences of students in K-12 schools and (2) the extent to which there have traditionally been opportunities for students to learn about the topic in K-12 schools. Use at least five sources (from class or from outside class). Your goal in this section is to take the broad definition of your concept that you established in the first section and apply it specifically to the context of education. For example, ableism will show up differently in a school than it does in a healthcare setting or in a courtroom. Your task is to illustrate why this topic matters for K-12 education in the U.S., both for student experiences in general in schools and for their classroom learning in particular. Approximately 3 pages. Strong examples in K-12 schools (5 points): Identify two strong examples of projects, initiatives, or curricular materials that effectively integrate teaching about your topic in K-12 schools. Use two different sources (one for each example). In the previous section, you talked about how this issue has or has not been addressed in schools on a more general, theoretical level (or macro-scale). Now, you will move to a more micro scale to examine two specific, concrete examples that illustrate success stories or excellent models for addressing your topic in educational spaces. Approximately 2 pages. Your ideas for K-12 schools (5 points): Based on your research, develop two thorough and clearly explained ideas for how the topic could be better addressed in K-12 schools (ideas can be specific to grade levels and/or subject areas or can be broader). Use the examples from the previous section as inspiration regarding the level of detail or type of information that you might include in your ideas or recommendations. You are welcome to focus one idea on policy and one idea on pedagogy, or you can have two examples that are more classroom or school/district level focused. These ideas can form the basis for your mini-lesson on the last day of class if it makes sense, but that is not required. Approximately 2 pages. Here are some additional guidelines: You are NOT required to submit a lesson plan or any formal documentation; your grade will be based on the in-class facilitation only. During your session, I will be looking for the following evidence: (1) focus of the activity is aligned with your topic of interest paper; (2) classmates are able to engage in active learning or discussion about the topic through one or more activities; (3) teaching points or key takeaways are clear (through your introduction/conclusion to the mini lesson and/or your commentary during activities). (4) It is understood that you will only have time to focus on one aspect of your topic, given time constraints. As your audience, we can be K-12 students or educators.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

The Role of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum in Promoting Equity and Understanding in K-12 Schools Author's Name The Institutional Affiliation Course Number and Name Instructor Name Assignment Due Date Introduction The incorporation of LGBTQ+ inclusion in K-12 curricula is certainly a pertinent issue that can modify the student's performance and the overall school environment. A curriculum filled with diverse cultures and communities can help promote an inclusive society and a sense of understanding and interconnectedness among students (Kleinrock, 2021). This paper analyzes the role of LGBTQ+ inclusive in promoting equity and understanding in K-12 schools by tracing its development in the US society and examining the previous and current facts (Meyer, 2022). The topic has been elaborated on in detail by combining different factors manifesting the efficacy and need for a diverse curriculum to ensure a diverse cultural society. Programs like "Welcoming Schools" and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum Initiative" in California Public Schools have been presented as prominent examples in this paper to prove the efficacy of the discussion topic. Definition of Topic Conceptual Framework: Interrelatedness and Social Parity To comprehend the efficacy of an LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, it is pertinent to carry forward a conceptual framework that analyzes the connection between different social personalities and oppressed conditions. The term Intersectionality can prove helpful in examining the factors, including sex, gender, race, and ethnicity, that overlap different social identities. The term can be used as a framework for understanding the difficulties that LGBTQ+ inclusive may face in schools due to numerous marginalized social identities (Camicia, 2022). A social justice approach is another framework that can help identify and sort racial discrimination issues. This approach also advocates the inclusion of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic content to promote inclusively equal environments for students at K-12 schools. Evolution in the Historical Context The examination of the LGBTQ+ inclusive in school education in the US during the early 20th century manifests its absence and non-recognition of this community in education. Their marginalization and ignorance were never highlighted in societal, cultural, and educational contexts to promote their equality (Kornbluh, 2023). Though LGBTQ+ inclusive proved their existence and rights to stand equal in society afterward, they claimed many lives and social and racial discrimination meanwhile. The late 20th century witnesses the beginning of prominent social movements, including the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and the formation of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to settle down cultural, social, and education discrimination with the LGBTQ+ inclusive community. Contemporary Condition of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum LGBTQ+ inclusive have now a strong standing in the educational context of USA. Many American states like California and New Jersey have already recognized the inclusion of LGBTQ+ educational content and their educational contributions in their coursework in K-12 schools (Snapp et al., 2022). Though many positive changes have been initiated, a lot is still needed. Laws like "No Promo Homo" persist in questioning the recognition and inclusion of LGBTQ+ inclusive educational content. Benefits of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Educational Content Multiple blessings are carved out by incorporating LGBTQ+ inclusive educational content. A sense of relativity and interconnectedness is developed among students who recognize LGBTQ as part of their community (Kleinrock, 2021). When students belonging to the LGBTQ+ community read content that identifies and gives importance to their contributions in different spheres, they reciprocate the sense of interconnectedness with cultural norms. These students sustain their mental and health well-being and are top performers in their extra-curricular and curriculum activities. The culture of bullying and discrimination based on racism and ethnicity can also be curbed through the incorporation of LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in the regular curriculum of K-12 schools (Graves, 2021). Both students and teachers can feel a sense of inclusiveness and diversity by incorporating LGBTQ+ inclusive content in the academic courses of K-12 schools. Policy and Practice Recommendations Considering the curriculum development of LGBTQ+ inclusive in K-12 schools, the following recommendations can prove fruitful. * The state legislative agencies should enact laws and supportive law mandates to support and safeguard LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula in K-12 schools. * Educators need to be trained to optimize the curriculum and inclusiveness in the educational content of K-12 schools (Gorski et al., 2023). The existing resources can be utilized for teachers' training to reduce the burden of expenses. * Anti-bullying and anti-discriminatory policies must be adopted to pose ever-lasting impacts on curriculum inclusion of the LGBTQ community. Debates about Topic LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curricula Effect on Students' Experiences in K-12 Schools LGBTQ+ Inclusive curriculum is pivotal in developing a sense of interconnectedness among LGBTQ and other students. A positive self-image and self-concern are developed among students of the LGBTQ community when they witness the recognition of their identities in course content. Research conducted in 2019 proved that LGBTQ students with inclusive course content feel safer and more confident in K-12 schools than content with little or no discussion about LGBTQ (Kosciw & Zongrone, 2019). Similarly, the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals are positively developed when they read content that recognizes their identities. Research conducted in 2022 proves that LGBTQ students who attended schools with diverse and inclusive curricula experience low mental and health issues (Hazlett, 2022). Schools implementing anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies have experienced creating a positive educational environment and positive student attitudes. With inclusion and diversity in the academic curriculum, an overall positive school environment can be created, and thus, students feel relaxed. LGBTQ students feel comfortable and share positive ties with students of other communities when they read their communities' educational and cultural contributions in the context. Moreover, when students feel that their cultural norms and beliefs are positively accepted by society, they tend to perform well in in-class and out-of-class educational activities. They also try to portray a positive image of their community with other community students through inclusive behavior. A study presented the results of a research paper by stating that in a supportive and academically positive educational environment, LGBTQ+ inclusive community students produce the highest academic scores (O’Leary & Kunkel, 2021). Students with no such positively inclusive environment feel discrimination and thus produce lower educational and academic results (Kleinrock, 2021). Also, the sense of inclusiveness in educational courses prepares students for the further development of an inclusive and diverse society with different cultural and social identities. Inclusive educational policies and curricula can develop a diversified global world, proving vital for incorporating and accepting people from all communities and academic values. Traditional Opportunities for Students to Learn about LGBTQ+ Inclusive The inclusion of LGBTQ+ inclusive content will incorporate a sense of interconnectedness among students from all communities to coordinate well and foster smooth social and educational relationships, unlike those in the early 20th century (Kleinrock, 2021). Inclusive policies can be introduced and prove positive for prevailing knowledge among students about the marginalized LGBTQ community. California's Fair Education Act, passed in 2011, supports the inclusion and reignition of educational contributions by the LGBTQ community (Leonardi, 2022). These policies may offer students significant progress and future opportunities to...

Updated on October 23, 2024

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