Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
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  4:30 pm
Commenter: Jay Fisette

SUPPORT/Virginia Department of Education model transgender student policy
 

I strongly support this model policy for the treatment of transgender and non-binary youth in public schools.

As a 64 year old gay man, many people did not understand me when I was young. My sexual orientation scared many people. Discrimination and bullying at school, by adults and peers, was common.

Today, it is transgender youth who are misunderstood, bullied and irrationally feared.  Public schools across Virginia must be held to this minimum standard to ensure that transgender youth are afforded the same opportunity as any young person to a safe and supportive school environment.

Thanks to the Virginia General Assembly and to VDOE for developing such a comprehensive and sensitive model policy.

CommentID: 95848