Toward Creating Effective Educational Environments: A Study of Gay-Straight Student Alliances in Pinellas County High Schools
Maralee Mayberry, Department of Sociology, Tiffany Shenneville, Education and Brianne Reck, Education Leadership and Curriculum Studies working with the Pinellas County School District, National Center for Community Justice (NCCJ) and the Gay-Lesbian-Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Tampa
Description: This study will explore how membership and participation in school-sanctioned Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) impacts students in 5 domains – academic development, attitude toward school, sense of school affiliation, teacher, social and peer relationships, and future educational/occupational aspirations. The secondary purpose is to identify the relationship between GSA activities and school patterns of action/inaction in high schools that either support or inhibit organizational level change that is important to sexually-marginalized youth. It is anticipated that approximately 50 interviews and 40 hours of on-site observation will be conducted. The interviews will consist of gay-straight alliance members, key school staff (e.g., principal, vice principal, counselors and alliance faculty sponsors).
Results will be presented to the Pinellas County School District and discussed with key school personnel in the participating high schools. The results will help inform school personnel of various school-level reforms that could be implemented to improve learning environments. Finally, with the help of the NCCJ and GLSEN Tampa student panels and forums will be instituted to disseminate the studies findings and recommendations to interested community members.
Contact Person: Maralee Mayberry
Funding for Academic Year: 2005-06