GLSEN Research Briefs

The Research Briefs are a series of short reports produced by the GLSEN Research Department on a range of current safer school and LGBT-related education issues with findings from both GLSEN research and other sources.

SELECTED STATE FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY

These briefs examine the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in selected states, using available data from GLSEN's National School Climate Survey in 2009.

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES: CREATING SAFER SCHOOLS FOR LGBT STUDENTS AND THEIR ALLIES

This brief examines current research on GSAs and highlights major findings regarding school safety, access to education, academic achievement for LGBT students, and access to GSAs in school.

THE EXPERIENCES OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

This brief examines the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in middle school. Using data from middle school students who participated in GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey, this brief provides important information on school climate for LGBT middle schoolers, including the prevalence of harassment and assault and the negative consequences of such victimization on academic achievement. The availability of valuable resources and supports in middle schools, such as Gay-Straight Alliances and supportive educators, is also highlighted. Findings show that LGBT middle school students often face more hostile school climates than their high school peers, yet have access to fewer supportive resources in school.

Teaching Respect: LGBT-Inclusive Curriculum and School Climate

A key component of creating safe, affirming schools for LGBT youth is ensuring that students have access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources. Using data from the 2009 National School Climate Survey, this brief explores LGBT students' reports of learning about LGBT issues. LGBT students who learned about LGBT people, history, or events in their classes experienced less victimization, felt safer at school, and reported better relationships with their peers and school staff. However, very few students had access to this important resource.

Assessing Transgender Status in Surveys of Adolescents: A GLSEN Research Brief

How should you ask students if they are transgender in a survey? This research brief examines some of the challenges of asking youth about transgender status, and makes recommendations for ensuring that transgender status questions are both nonstigmatizing to transgender youth and understandable to the general adolescent population. The brief discusses findings from GLSEN's work on behalf of the All Students Count Coalition to test and recommend a transgender status question for general youth population surveys. It can serve as a valuable resource for documenting the experiences of transgender youth respectfully and accurately.