A new online high school targeting LGBT students, believed to be the first of its kind, plans to launch in January 2010.
The brainchild of David Glick, who has been part of the virtual school environment as a consultant for quite some time in addition to 25 years of experience in the education field, promises to offer students a safe and affirming place within the virtual academy.
It will be an environment where students don’t have to worry about harassment, Glick said. “Diversity, multicultural education… has been a big interest of mine, and what the school system does or does not do for disenfranchised students.”
According to the 2007 National School Climate Survey, released by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, researchers found that nearly nine out of ten LGBT students experienced harassment in their schools. More than half of the students said that they felt unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation. Almost 32 per cent of students missed a class, and the grade point average of students harassed were almost half a grade lower than their peers.
SourceI understand why some people feel there is a need for a GLBT high school, but I don't think creating one is a good idea. People get picked on in high school for a variety of reasons. Teenagers will make fun of any and everything they think is outside of the norm. This trend will probably never end if homosexual students get their own high school. The immature and ignorant students who torment their homosexual schoolmates should be shown the error in their ways. They should be taught to respect or the differences in race, ethnicity, thought, and sexual orientation that surround them on a daily basis.
There was a time in this country when blacks and whites couldn't attend the same schools. Can you imagine what race relations would be like in this country if school systems remained "separate but equal?" Teachers and school administrators need to make a more concerted effort to support the homosexual population. They don't have to agree with or like the fact that these students are gay. They do, however, have to provide ALL students with the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.
Feel free to state your claim if you disagree with my point of view. When I was in graduate school, my school's Office of Multicultural Affairs played "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross 99 million times on National Coming Out Day. I feel like it's the perfect song for this post.
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I'm coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show
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