In a recent development, the New Jersey State Board of Education (NJSBE) has garnered attention for its adoption of an equity policy that introduces gender-neutral language to education practices across the state. Here’s the full story.
Equity Policy
The equity policy, known as the Managing For [Equality and] Equity in Education policy, aims to ensure that all students, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, have equal access to educational activities and programs provided by district boards of education.
Impartial Educational Environment
The policy emphasizes the importance of fostering a fair, just, and impartial educational environment for all individuals.
Gender-Neutral Language
One notable aspect of this policy change is the introduction of gender-neutral language throughout educational regulations.
Respect Gender Identity of Every Student
This shift aims to create an educational environment that respects and acknowledges the gender identity and expression of all students.
Removing “Female and Male” Terms
One specific change involves substituting the terms “minority, female, and male” with the more inclusive term “all students.”
Inclusive Language
This alteration reflects a broader movement towards using language that encompasses the entire student population without making assumptions based on gender categories.
The Controversies
The adoption of gender-neutral language has not been without its share of controversies and debates.
The Problems This May Cause
During the adoption process, parents’ rights advocates voiced their concerns about the changes, expressing worries about the potential implications for girls’ educational opportunities.
Undermining Rights
Some argued that removing specific gender terms might undermine the rights and protections of biological girls.
The Response
In response to these concerns, the NJSBE emphasized that the changes were designed to align with the principles of equity and inclusivity.
The Board Issued Clarifications
The board clarified that the goal was to eliminate gendered nouns and pronouns from educational regulations while promoting an environment that upholds the rights and protections of all students, regardless of their gender identity.
Creating a Standardized Language
The NJSBE clarified that these changes do not require local school districts to adopt gender-neutral language or alter their curriculum; rather, they focus on creating standardized language in state regulations.
Twitter Users Expressed Their Thoughts
Several social media users shared their views on the incident.
One Twitter user wrote, “That has nothing to do with equity.”
Teach Them to Read and Write
Another user added, “That’s nice but can they teach them to read, write, and do math now?”
Males and Females Differ
A third user commented, “How do you say, “All students will stand up when they pee”? Just saying, males and females are different.”
Transgender Athlete Takes Gold in Swimming – Now Faces Lifetime Ban Amidst Controversy
A transgender swimmer has been surrounded by controversy after winning the NCAA and not facing a ban. Transgender Athlete Takes Gold in Swimming – Now Faces Lifetime Ban Amidst Controversy
United States Women’s National Team Players Refuse to Sing National Anthem in Bold Protest; Critics and Supporters Clash Over ‘Disrespectful’ Act
In a recent Women’s World Cup Group E game against the Netherlands, several players from the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) stirred controversy by choosing to remain silent during the singing of the national anthem. United States Women’s National Team Players Refuse to Sing National Anthem in Bold Protest; Critics and Supporters Clash Over ‘Disrespectful’ Act
“They Just Kept on Increasing” – Trans Teenagers Are on the Rise, and Now Studies Are Showing the Reasons Behind This ‘Strange’ Development
A new study shows that more and more young people are feeling a mismatch between their assigned gender at birth and the gender they feel inside. “They Just Kept on Increasing” – Trans Teenagers Are on the Rise, and Now Studies Are Showing the Reasons Behind This ‘Strange’ Development
An Androgynous Mindset: Former President Barack Obama’s Gay Fantasy Has Been Revealed in a Newly-Redacted 1982 Letter
In a startling revelation, a recently redacted 1982 letter penned by former President Barack Obama to his ex-girlfriend has shed light on his thoughts surrounding homosexuality. An Androgynous Mindset: Former President Barack Obama’s Gay Fantasy Has Been Revealed in a Newly-Redacted 1982 Letter
J.K. Rowling Won’t Budge on Gender – Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture’s Responds by Removing Author From Its Hall of Fame and Harry Potter Exhibition
In a surprising move, the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington, decided to airbrush J.K. Rowling from its Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and Harry Potter exhibition due to her gender-critical views. J.K. Rowling Won’t Budge on Gender – Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture’s Responds by Removing Author From Its Hall of Fame and Harry Potter Exhibition
The post New Jersey Schools Embrace Inclusive Language, Removing Gender-Specific Terms From School Policies first appeared on Mama Say What?!
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jacob Lund. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
