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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1/18/21  6:56 pm
Commenter: Stephanie Kessinger

Support - Allow children to determine who they are and want to be
 

As an educator of 15 years I strongly support this legislation. Students deserve to be who they are and not who society forces them to be. To not allow a child to determine their own identity is as if to state that their entire identity and idea of self is decided at birth. 

In addition, for many students school is the only safe space for them. To not allow them to be who they truly are - their authentic self - we take that safety away from them. 

CommentID: 90664