Dr. Peter Vigil, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Summer Seminar: Multicultural Education and Anti-Bullying Strategies, University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras

1. Summer Seminar
Multicultural Education &
Anti-bullying Strategies
UPR Rio Pierdas

2. Students with Special Needs
LGBTQ Students

3. Every year approximately 6.5 million children
in the United States receive Special Education
services
These children represent an array of abilities
and instructional needs, typically identified
through the Individualized Education Plan
(IEP)
These students have varying levels of
inclusion in general classroom usually
dependent on severity of student needs or
behaviors.
(NCES 2010)

4. Children with noticeable disorders present a
high risk for being bullied
(Dawkins, 1996)
Certain Learning disorders appear to be at
the lowest risk compared to other disabilities
(Kaukiainen, et al ., 2002)

5. Content Integration
The Knowledge Construction Process
Prejudice Reduction
An Equity Pedagogy
An Empowering School Culture

7. Disability simulations
◦ Advantages
◦ Disadvantages
Assistive Technology

8. Studying the history of special education
services in United States
Considering the promise and problems of
inclusionary practices
Examining the disproportionate referrals of
certain populations for special education
services

9. 9 out of 10 LGBT students have experienced harassment at
school.
LGBT teens are bullied 2 to 3 times as much as straight teens.
More than 1/3 of LGBT kids have attempted suicide.
LGBT kids are 4 times as likely to attempt suicide then their
straight peers.
LGBT youth with “highly rejecting” families are 8 times more
likely to attempt suicide than those whose families accept
them.
It is estimated that btw 20%-40% percent of all homeless
youth identify as being LGBTQ
The stigma and hostilities youth experience from anti-LGBTQ
bullying makes them prone to health risk behaviors, such as
skipping school, smoking, alcohol and drug use, and sexual
risk

10. “Considered to be the most Gay friendly
destination in the Caribbean, San Juan long
buried its stereotypical macho image and
replaced it with a culture that is remarkable for
its tolerance and openness” (Lonely Planet, 2014)
Status & Rights LBGTQ in Puerto Rico ?
◦ “Gay Marriage”
◦ Discrimination
◦ “Hate Crimes”
Including LBGTQ issues in K-12 curriculum
If / when is it appropriate to discuss examine
LBGTQ topics in classroom?

11. Content Integration
The Knowledge Construction Process
Prejudice Reduction
Examples: from video “It’s Elementary”

12. LGBTQ student organizations
Stop Bullying
www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/lgbt/
Violence Prevention Works
http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/publi
c/bullying_sexual_orientation.page
American Psychological Association (APA)
◦ Bullying and safe schools for LGBTQ students
◦ www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/bullying.aspx
It Gets Better
http://www.itgetsbetter.org/