School climate surveys are a critical aspect of the research on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender student success rates. These students have been shown to be at higher risk for bullying, harassment, substance abuse, self-harm, and dropping out, yet demographic information about sexual orientation and gender identity is missing from almost every educational metric.
The country's educators and families need more information about the challenges these students face in order to better support their needs.
The school climate survey the Administration pledges to develop in response to gun violence would be incomplete if it did not include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. The data such an effort could produce would be invaluable to researchers and educators.