Learning About the Student Non-Discrimination Act
Learn about what the Student Non-Discrimination Act stands for and how it hopes to make provisions for educational equality for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
On March 21st, 2018, the Student Non-Discrimination Act was reintroduced for consideration in the House of Representatives. This Act specifically looks to address the pervasive discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) students face in schools across the nation. Numerous studies have shown that the discrimination that LGBTQ students face at school result in high rates of absenteeism, dropout, adverse health consequences, and academic underachievement. While federal law protects students against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and disability, there are no specific protections regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools, offers federally funded education programs, and provides legal recourse to address instances of such discrimination. However, despite several federal court rulings interpreting Tile IX to include discrimination on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex stereotyping, many school districts and the current administration fail to recognize the rights of LGBTQ students.
The Student Non-Discrimination Act looks to specifically prohibit public K-12 schools from discriminating against any student on the basis of perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, the Act would prohibit discrimination against any student based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of a person whom the student associates with.
The Student Non-Discrimination Act has broad support from numerous educational, legal, health, and civil rights organizations, including:
- American Association of University Women
- American Federation of Techers
- American Civil Liberties Union
- GLSEN
- NAACP
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Association of Secondary School Principals
- The National Education Association
- National Women’s Law Center
- UnidosUS
Here’s what you need to know about the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Looking for a consulting firm with experience working in higher education? Then don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at McKnight Associates, Inc. We are ready to offer you hands-on human resources consulting for colleges, universities, medical centers, and organizations of all sizes.