Summary of findings and recommendations from the evaluation of the 2006 Pride and Prejudice program

This summary of the Pride and Prejudice anti-homophobia evaluation by Dr Doug Bridge of the University of Tasmania's Institute for Inclusive Learning Communities, was released on March 19th, 2007.

~ The Pride & Prejudice program

Many students, teachers, principals and school administrators are aware of the need to address issues of sexual diversity and homophobia and associated bullying within and beyond their classrooms. The Pride & Prejudice program (Witthaus, 2006) was developed to support teachers to address these issues. The formally evaluated educational package (Higgins, King & Witthaus, 2001) was developed by Deakin University and the City of Greater Geelong and funded through VicHealth’s Rural Sexual Diversity Grant Scheme.

The Pride & Prejudice program explores the notions of sexual diversity and homophobia with students in a secondary school context. The program attempts to explore and challenge, rather than change, student attitudes and beliefs. This involves the provision of accurate information and the opportunity for all viewpoints to be aired safely in a classroom setting.

Pride & Prejudice is not a sex education or sexual health program. There are distinct differences between the contexts in which previous sexual diversity and homophobia actions/programs have been delivered and the context of this education package, which focuses entirely on exploring social differences, discrimination, gender issues and how these relate to gay and lesbian people. The program provides opportunities for dialogue with gay men and lesbians and aims to foster a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where students can explore issues of sexual diversity and homophobia with their peers.

The Pride & Prejudice program is made up of six 45 -55 minute whole class sessions which may be tailored to the needs of particular a school and/or class. The six-week program is interactive and challenging, providing students with an avenue to discuss sensitive issues and topics. The package includes a video, an outline of each session with the aims, the key skills required to undertake the session and optional homework.

~ Summary of findings

A University of Tasmania evaluation of the Pride & Prejudice program offered in three Tasmanian secondary schools in 2006 found that attitudes held by secondary school students toward gay men and lesbians were significantly more positive after the program. This finding parallels an earlier evaluation of the same anti-homophobia program undertaken in Victoria (Higgins et al, 2001).

The evaluation also found that the Pride & Prejudice program was taught by teachers and project officers at a high standard in Tasmanian schools.

~ Report recommendations

The Pride and Prejudice program should be recommended to schools and learning services as an effective program for countering homophobia and as a starting point for the development of further, comprehensive anti-homophobia programs.

It is further suggested that the Department of Education, Catholic Education Office, Working It Out and Faculty of Education (University of Tasmania) negotiate and undertake a ‘train the trainer’ style program in Pride & Prejudice undertaken as a Graduate Certificate in Education, initially delivered within the schools that have participated in the 2006 evaluation, with the following outcomes:

a. The Pride and Prejudice program continues to be offered in Tasmanian secondary schools in 2007.
b. Fifteen Pride & Prejudice trainers to be available to Tasmanian Education systems by December 2008.
c. The Pride & Prejudice program is evolved, in partnership with key stakeholders, to shape it to the Tasmanian context. A reshaped program to be available to schools by December 2008.
d. A further project exploring how to address homophobia embedded within the curriculum be developed and undertaken.