Developing Inclusive Youth
How to Reduce Social Exclusion and Foster Equality and Equity in Childhood
SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 — Dr. Melanie Killen, a professor in the Human Development and Quantitative Methodology department, published Developing Inclusive Youth: How to Reduce Social Exclusion and Foster Equality and Equity in Childhood in the Fall 2019 issue of American Educator. The article discusses the prevalence of bias-based harassment among K-12 children and the impact such discrimination has on children's development. Teacher biases, too, can contribute to prejudicial attitudes in the classroom. In response, Dr. Killen and her team designed a research-based program, Developing Inclusive Youth, which offers teachers a web-based curriculum tool and classroom discussion session to promote positive intergroup friendships and reduce prejudice. Evaluation of the program's effectiveness is ongoing and already showing statistically significant results among students in their likeliness to play with diverse peers and feel classroom support from their peers.
