Creating learning environments that respect diverse gender identities & gender expression. 

 

• The Alberta Government’s Ministry of Education asks that schools create a welcoming, equitable and inclusive school environment.

• Whole-school approaches are recommended to foster social-emotional learning and healthy relationships in order to reduce the likelihood of bullying behaviour, including homophobic and transphobic bullying. 

 

*A detailed breakdown of Alberta Education’s curriculum connections and guide to promote diversity, inclusion and equity is available for your perusal. 

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ALBERTA EDUCATION

GUIDELINES FOR BEST PRACTICES: 

 

CREATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT RESPECT DIVERSE SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, GENDER IDENTITIES AND GENDER EXPRESSION

 

https://education.alberta.ca/media/1626737/91383-attachment-1-guidelines-final.pdf

 

*Highlights from Guidelines and Best Practices that directly support K-5 students viewing a production of The Sissy Duckling

 

Introduction

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• To have high quality education for all, it is critical that our education system is equitable and inclusive. This means that each and every student, including those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, has the educational opportunities and supports needed to be successful in school, and in life.
   

• Creating an education system that is truly inclusive requires all schools to identify and implement evidence-based strategies that ensure the safety, belonging and full participation of all members of the school community.

 

Purpose of Guidelines

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• These guidelines support the creation of welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that foster diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self. Their purpose is to enable school authorities to use best practices in creating and supporting learning environments that respect diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
   

• The act also requires boards to establish, implement and maintain a policy that includes the establishment of a code of conduct for students that addresses bullying behaviour.
   

• The School Act requires school authorities to support or to lead an activity intended to promote positive learning environments. 

 

Best Practices

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• Staff use comprehensive whole-school approaches to foster social-emotional learning and healthy relationships in order to reduce the likelihood of bullying behaviour, including homophobic and transphobic bullying. 
   

• Ensuring students have the understanding, skills and opportunities to contribute to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and positive sense of self.
   

• Reduce gender-segregated activities to the greatest extent possible. This increases opportunities to respect students’ full expression of who they are and allows them to play, learn, dress, present and express themselves in flexible and diverse ways that are congruent with their gender identity or gender expression.
   

• Providing professional learning opportunities that build the capacity of staff to understand and support diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.