Seth Lepore’s Post

As parents, teachers, and members of vibrant and diverse communities, most of us agree that every student, regardless of who they are, where they're from, what their gender is, or how they look, should feel respected and free to be their authentic selves at school. But far right groups are spreading misinformation about evidence-based policies that make sure students of all genders are free to be their authentic selves at school. They are trying to pit us against one another to sow division and gain political power. Instead of focusing on addressing the many important issues affecting our young people, they're pushing us in the opposite direction. We want communities where everyone is welcome, with mosques and Pride parades, where we get the healthcare we need, and, when it comes to our children's education, it’s about facts over scare tactics! When it comes to our schools, we choose #FactsOverFear so all students, including trans and queer students, can thrive. Join us: www.factsoverfear.ca

As parents, teachers, and members of vibrant and diverse communities, most of us agree that every student, regardless of who they are, where they're from, what their gender is, or how they look, should feel respected and free to be their authentic selves at school. But far right groups are spreading misinformation about evidence-based policies that make sure students of all genders are free to be their authentic selves at school. They are trying to pit us against one another to sow division and gain political power. Instead of focusing on addressing the many important issues affecting our young people, they're pushing us in the opposite direction. We want communities where everyone is welcome, with mosques and Pride parades, where we get the healthcare we need, and, when it comes to our children's education, it’s about facts over scare tactics! When it comes to our schools, we choose #FactsOverFear so all students, including trans and queer students, can thrive. Join us: www.factsoverfear.ca

As parents, teachers, and members of vibrant and diverse communities, most of us agree that every student, regardless of who they are, where they're from, what their gender is, or how they look, should feel respected and free to be their authentic selves at school. But far right groups are spreading misinformation about evidence-based policies that make sure students of all genders are free to be their authentic selves at school. They are trying to pit us against one another to sow division and gain political power. Instead of focusing on addressing the many important issues affecting our young people, they're pushing us in the opposite direction. We want communities where everyone is welcome, with mosques and Pride parades, where we get the healthcare we need, and, when it comes to our children's education, it’s about facts over scare tactics! When it comes to our schools, we choose #FactsOverFear so all students, including trans and queer students, can thrive. Join us: www.factsoverfear.ca

We are finalizing some great interactive polling questions for our upcoming presentation on Accommodating Students Identifying as Transgender for NSBA's 2024 Annual Conference. Be sure to join us on April 7th at 3:00 p.m. in New Orleans! #attorneyaleks #educationlaw #genderidentity #conferenceseason

YWCA Toronto believes in fostering a society where all women, girls, and gender diverse people can thrive. Collectively, we work tenaciously to break down barriers that perpetuate systemic inequity and gender inequality. YWCA Toronto’s work includes creating safer spaces for people of all gender and sexual orientations including Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and additional sexually and gender diverse people (2SLGBTQIA+). Recent events in Canada have shown the consequences of sharing misinformation. Policies in place to protect trans and queer youth are being manipulated and used to make people feel unsafe. We believe in safe schools that encourage respect and give all students – including trans students – the freedom to be their most authentic selves. We denounce bigotry and hate in all its forms and our commitment to working towards a world where the rights of Trans and gender diverse people are permanently upheld is unwavering. Follow the link below to learn more and take the pledge to choose #FactsOverFear https://lnkd.in/gncf_RmH

Some of the most important safe spaces at colleges for marginalized students are the offices designed specifically with them in mind. It is disheartening to see that legislation is officially beginning to take those spaces away from the students who need it most. The University of Houston announced that due to a new Texas law, public higher ed institutions cannot have DEI officers or trainings, programs, and activities. The university, like others in Texas, was forced to shutter its Center of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as its LGBTQA Resource Center. Marginalized students statistically face more challenges at college, including discrimination and mental health issues. Taking away these safe spaces could have a few repercussions: greater rates of these issues, marginalized students spending more to attend private institutions with these programs, and fewer minorities graduating from college. Each of these will have detrimental effects on building generational wealth and diversifying our workforce.

Calling all educators, parents & policymakers! Our new episode explores the importance of civics education and how to overcome current challenges in teaching it. #EducationPolicy #TeachingCivics #SchoolCurriculum https://ow.ly/43UO50SCbTq

Defending the rights of transgender, non-binary, gender-expansive, and queer youth: A statement on recent changes in school policies affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ students. All youth deserve the freedom to be themselves and learn in a safe environment. Recent policy changes in SK and NB requiring parental consent for pronouns and names are exclusionary and fail to protect the safety and privacy of students. These amendments are not in the best interest of children, caregivers, educators, and society based on current Western research.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gRZnkmJ6

So far this year, 110 bills seeking to restrict discussion of race, U.S. history and LGBTQ people in schools and colleges have been introduced in state legislatures, and 10 became law, according to a new report from the free-speech watchdog group PEN America. Added to the 20 such bills passed in 2021 and 2022, and 10 executive orders and state agency mandates, there are now 40 legal restrictions on educator speech in 21 states. PEN estimates 1.3 million K-12 teachers and 100,000 public college and university professors are now affected, as are millions of students. #education #educationalleadership #teaching #teachingandlearning

The new #EurydiceEU report on diversity and inclusion in schools highlights the various initiatives aiming to improve access and participation in education, reduce early school leaving, and foster equal opportunities. While certain groups, such as Roma students and those with special educational needs or disabilities, receive significant attention in existing policies, we must continue to strive for greater inclusivity. The promotion of gender equality, combating antisemitism, and addressing the discrimination faced by other religious minority students or LGBTIQ+ students are areas that require more focus and dedication. This report investigates existing national/top-level policies and measures that promote diversity and inclusion in school education. It focuses especially on learners who are most likely to experience disadvantage and/or discrimination in schools, including girls/boys, students from different migrant, ethnic and religious backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ students, and students with special educational needs or disabilities. The report highlights existing targeted policy initiatives promoting the learners’ access to quality, inclusive, mainstream education. It provides a comparative overview of policies and measures across 39 European education systems and presents many country examples, which showcase some of the most recent initiatives taken across Europe. Our goal must be to develop education systems that empower and help every learner to reach their full potential! #education #diversity #inclusion