Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 16:59:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: laura kress <KRESSL6450@cobra.uni.edu>

National Institute for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns in
Education, Inc.

Press Release:  10/17/94: for immediate release

Re:  New Rights for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth,
nationally and in Massachusetts

The National Institute for GLBT Concerns in Education, Inc. and the
Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian
Youth are thrilled to announce two significant events.

First, the Massachusetts State Board of Education, under the leadership
of its chair, Martin Kaplan, successfully presented an amendment
concerning sexual orientation protections to the by-laws of the National
Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) at its national conference on
October 14, 1994.  All 50 state boards of education have voted to make
the following change to their national association resolutions:
	NASBE Resolution 94-6 A
	"State boards should provide leadership in eliminating the
stereotypes and discrimination on the basis of sex, age, disability,
race, religion, <sexual orientation>, ethnic background or national
origin in curriculum materials, counseling methods and other education 
processes." 
	
This new resolution mirrors changes already enacted by the National
School Boards Association, which represents local school
districts nationwide, the National Education Association, the
American Psychological Association, and the National Association
of School Psychologists.

Second, through the combined efforts of the National Institute and the
Governor's Commission, we have successfully petitioned the Massachusetts
State Board of Education to change the Educational Personnel
Certification Codes for the State of Massachusetts to include sexual
orientation sensitivity.  What this means is
that, as of October 1, 1994, all 36 higher education institutions in
Massachusetts that train individuals fo certification as teachers,
administrators, school guidance counselors, and/or school psychologists
must demonstrate to the State Department of Education that its graduates
are sensitive to sexual orientation issues for students or face the loss
of its certification process.  Thus, Massachusetts has become the first
state to institutionalize sexual orientation sensitivity training into
school personnel educational programs.

This change was enacted through the efforts of Commission members Karen
Harbeck, David LaFontaine, and Al Ferreira, as well as the efforts of
Maurice Kaufman, Louise LaFontaine, and other volunteers.  For
additional information, call Karen Harbeck at (617) 321-3569 or the
Governor's Commission at (617) 727-3600 x 312.

End of Release, 10/17/94