The 2019 National School Climate Survey The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation’s Schools A Report from GLSEN www.glsen.org The 2019 National School Climate Survey The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation’s Schools by Joseph G. Kosciw, Ph.D. Caitlin M. Clark, Ph.D. Nhan L. Truong, Ph.D. Adrian D. Zongrone, M.P.H. National Headquarters 110 William Street, 30th Floor New York, NY 10038 Ph: 212-727-0135 Fax: 212-727-0254 DC Policy Office Make Office K Street 6th Floor, Attn: GLSEN 1015 15th Street, NW Washington, DC, 20005 Ph: 202-347-7780 Fax: 202-347-7781 [email protected] www.glsen.org © 2020 GLSEN ISBN 978-1-934092-33-0 When referencing this document, we recommend the following citation: Kosciw, J. G., Clark, C. M., Truong, N. L., & Zongrone, A. D. (2020). The 2019 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth in our nation’s schools. New York: GLSEN. GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For more information on our educator resources, research, public policy agenda, student leadership programs, or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org. Graphic design: Adam Fredericks Quotes throughout are from students’ responses to open-ended questions in the survey. Electronic versions of this report and all other GLSEN research reports are available at www.glsen.org/research. CONTENTS PREFACE .........................................................................................................................................xi Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... xiv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... xv INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 METHODS AND SAMPLE .................................................................................................................. 7 Insight on Emerging Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Terms Over Time ............................... 10 PART ONE: EXTENT AND EFFECTS OF HOSTILE SCHOOL CLIMATE .................................................. 13 School Safety ................................................................................................................................. 15 Overall Safety at School ............................................................................................................ 16 School Engagement and Safety Concerns .................................................................................... 16 Insight on Feelings of Safety Regarding Citizenship Over Time ...................................................... 17 Exposure to Biased Language ........................................................................................................... 21 Hearing Anti-LGBTQ Remarks at School ...................................................................................... 22 Anti-LGBTQ Remarks from School Personnel ............................................................................... 25 Hearing Other Types of Biased Remarks at School ........................................................................ 26 Experiences of Harassment and Assault at School .............................................................................. 27 Harassment and Assault Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Gender Expression .................... 28 Harassment and Assault Based on Other Characteristics ............................................................... 29 Other Types of Harassment and Negative Events .......................................................................... 29 Reporting of School-Based Harassment and Assault ........................................................................... 31 Reasons for Not Reporting Harassment or Assault ........................................................................ 32 Students’ Reports on the Nature of School Staff’s Responses to Harassment and Assault ................ 34 Effectiveness of Staff Responses to Harassment and Assault ......................................................... 36 Experiences of Discrimination at School............................................................................................ 39 Restricting LGBTQ Expression in School ..................................................................................... 40 Limiting LGBTQ Inclusion in Extracurricular Activities .................................................................. 40 Enforcing Adherence to Traditional Gender Norms ........................................................................ 42 Gender Separation in School ...................................................................................................... 42 Hostile School Climate, Educational Outcomes, and Psychological Well-Being ...................................... 45 Educational Aspirations ............................................................................................................. 46 School Climate and Educational Aspirations ................................................................................ 47 School Climate and Academic Achievement ................................................................................ 48 Absenteeism ............................................................................................................................ 48 School Climate and School Discipline ........................................................................................ 49 School Climate and School Belonging ......................................................................................... 51 School Climate and Psychological Well-Being .............................................................................. 52 PART TWO: SCHOOL-BASED RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS .............................................................. 55 Availability of School-Based Resources and Supports ......................................................................... 57 Supportive Student Clubs .......................................................................................................... 58 Inclusive Curricular Resources ................................................................................................... 58 Insight on GSA Activities ........................................................................................................... 59 Supportive School Personnel ...................................................................................................... 61 Insight on Reasons for Not Attending a GSA ................................................................................ 63 Inclusive and Supportive School Policies..................................................................................... 64 Utility of School-Based Resources and Supports ................................................................................ 69 Supportive Student Clubs .......................................................................................................... 70 Inclusive Curricular Resources ................................................................................................... 73 Supportive School Personnel ...................................................................................................... 75 Inclusive and Supportive School Policies..................................................................................... 79 v PART THREE: SCHOOL CLIMATE BY DEMOGRAPHIC AND SCHOOL CHARACTERISTICS ..................... 85 School Climate and Sexual Orientation ............................................................................................. 87 Victimization ........................................................................................................................... 89 Discrimination and School Discipline ......................................................................................... 90 Absenteeism ............................................................................................................................ 90 School Climate and Gender ............................................................................................................. 93 Experiences of Transgender Students ......................................................................................... 94 Insight on Gender-Related Discrimination Among Transgender Students Over Time........................ 102 Experiences of Nonbinary Students ......................................................................................... 103 Experiences of Cisgender LGBQ Students ................................................................................. 104 Experiences of Questioning Students ....................................................................................... 105 School Climate and Racial/Ethnic Identity ......................................................................................