As of November 2015, Education Minister David Eggen has directed all school boards in Alberta to develop policies that “specifically address the board’s responsibility as it relates to the LGBTQ community”. Minister Eggen requires these materials to be provided to him by March 31, 2016.
The Guidelines support the creation of welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that foster diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self. The document provides an overview of the relevant provincial legislation, as well as 12 best practises for school boards to develop inclusive policies.
Read the full document here.
The purpose of the Guidelines is to enable school authorities to use best practices in creating and supporting learning environments that respect diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions by:
- reviewing and revising existing policies, regulations and procedures;
- creating new policies, regulations, procedures and resources;
- informing professional development planning and professional conversations; and
- communicating more effectively with students, staff, families and community members.
All school authorities are advised to use these best practices to develop and/or revise policies, regulations, and procedures related to creating welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Best Practices
The following is a brief overview of the best practices identified in the Guidelines:
- Providing supports that respond to a student’s individual needs.
- Respecting an individual’s right to self-identification.
- Maintaining school records in a way that respects privacy and confidentiality.
- Ensuring dress codes respect an individual’s gender identity and gender expression.
- Minimizing gender-segregated activities.
- Enabling students with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions to have full, safe and equitable participation in curricular and extra-curricular activities.
- Providing safe access to washroom and change-room facilities.
- Providing professional learning opportunities that build the capacity of staff to understand and support diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
- Using a comprehensive whole-school approach to promote healthy relationships and prevent and respond to bullying behaviour.
- Ensuring students have the understanding, skills and opportunities to contribute to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self.
- Ensuring all families are welcomed and supported as valued members of the school community.
- Ensuring that school staff have work environments where they are protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Understanding the Guidelines 