Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Education

State Board of Education

Guidance Document Change: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students; protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.

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2/3/21 2:29 pm

Commenter: Lesley

Support and Protect Trans Youth

I strongly support this proposal. Discrimination and harassment of transgender students is unacceptable and it’s important to protect vulnerable populations, such as trans students. Having diversity in schools teaches acceptance of differences and hardships that others face. This policy would create a safer learning environment for these students who just want to be able to learn in a place they feel comfortable in. Schools are supposed to support their students in whatever way they want to express themselves. Schools should be a safe place for a student to learn about others and themselves.

CommentID: 95582