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.

Previous Comment Next Comment Back to List of Comments

2/3/21 2:19 am

Commenter: Kevin

Opposed to VDOE gender identity proposal

While students and faculty must respect all of their colleagues, the proposed gender identity guidelines are an overreach and should be withdrawn. They imply that the school knows better than the parents in raising their own children. Virginia can do better.

Many parents strongly believe that gender determination comes from God. The school should not indoctrinate people otherwise. At a time when parents and students are desperate for schools to reopen immediately, it's disappointing to see VDOE expend so much time and effort on this instead. Thank you.

CommentID: 94716