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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1/19/21  8:38 am
Commenter: Cathy A

Proposed Bill is a Pandora's Box Fraught With Negative Consequences
 

Fair treatment is one thing, but not at the indoctrination of everyone else.

I am appalled that parent rights are being superceded by the forced agenda of the LGBTQ community. I am angry that I or others are forced to use a variety of pronouns and titles or risk being taken to court. I am dismayed that children are going to be confused by what is being proposed and "gently" urged to reconsider their own identity. I am concerned that only the like-minded were part of this "group think." I am certain that any one of us disagreeing with this proposal will be labeled bigoted  or small-minded or cruel.

In special education placement deliberations, parents, teachers and others are required to look to the least restrictive environment. I believe a similar approach needs to be used to allow those not in the mainstream to have accommodations made that address their needs while not negatively impactng the education or values of the others. Schools should be welcoming to ALL students.

I urge both sides of the aisle and this issue to consider this proposal as an over-reaching draconian response to the needs of a few.

CommentID: 90708