CHAPTER 7: Reforming School Reform: The Need for Addressing Gender and Sexuality Issues in Teacher Preparation Programs

When one considers that over three-fourths of teachers in the U.S. are female (and mostly straight), coupled with the rash of reports detailing the demise of LGBTQ students, it becomes clear that addressing gender and sexual identity in teacher preparation programs is critical to creating a “safe space” for all students. This chapter argues that simply taking a gender-neutral or sexualityblind stance not only perpetuates the status quo, but also weakens education reform efforts that claim to strengthen student outcomes.