From teasing to torment [electronic resource] : school climate in America : a survey of students and teachers / conducted for, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, project directors: Dana Markow, Jordan Fein
- Published
- New York, NY : Harris Interactive, Inc., [2005]
- Copyright Date
- ©2005
- Physical Description
- vii, 103 pages : color illustrations ; 28 cm
- Additional Creators
- Markow, Dana, Fein, Jordan, Harris Interactive (Firm), and Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
Online Version
- Contents
- Introduction -- Executive summary -- Major findings -- Ch. 1. Harassment, bullying and offensive language at school -- Ch. 2. Feeling safe at school -- Ch. 3. Teachers' attitudes towards LGBT student issues -- Survey methodology -- Index of tables.
- Summary
- The overall atmosphere or climate of a school is established by the behaviors and attitudes of the students, teachers and other school staff as well as the school's official policies. One measure of school climate is the levels of harassment experienced by the students. Harassment in school can take many forms from verbal to physical, although physical harassment is much less common. Verbal harassment includes name-calling, teasing and threats and can escalate to more physical forms such as pushing, hitting or assault with a weapon. Students who are harassed can be singled out for perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as physical appearance, race/ethnicity, religion, income level, physical or intellectual ability, gender or sexual orientation. Of course, sometimes harassment can occur for no apparent reason at all. The question is why should educators, parents and other concerned adults care, particularly if no physical harm is done? The reason is that harassment, even when it is limited to teasing and negative remarks, can interfere with a student's education. Previous research has found a direct linkage between academic performance and experiences of harassment and an unsafe learning environment in school. The present study examines several aspects of the school climate that can detract from a safe learning environment, as well as teens' personal experiences with harassment. In addition, the survey examines the overall prevalence of offensive remarks and harassment at their school, whether experienced by that teen or their classmates, and the impact that has on their ability to learn. Secondary school teachers also contributed their perpsectives on these issues and provided their views on what can be done to improve the situation.
- Subject(s)
- Harassment in schools—United States
- Gay students—United States
- Sexual minority students—United States
- Gay high school students—United States
- Lesbian students—United States
- Gay students—United States—Psychology
- Sexual minority students—United States—Psychology
- Gay high school students—United States—Psychology
- Lesbian students—United States—Psychology
- Gay students—United States—Social conditions
- Sexual minority students—United States—Social conditions
- Gay high school students—United States—Social conditions
- Lesbian students—United States—Social conditions
- Interpersonal relations—United States—Statistics
- Homosexuality and education—United States
- Sexual harassment in education
- Note
- "Field Dates: Students--January 13 and January 31, 2005; Teachers--January 18 and January 25, 2005."
- Bibliography Note
- Includes bibliographical references.
- Other Forms
- Also available via the World Wide Web.
- Technical Details
- System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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