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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2/1/21  1:07 pm
Commenter: Francesca

Teacher
 

Strongly oppose!!

While I want all students to feel accepted, safe, and loved at school these policies have too many holes in them. Parents not being included is a huge risk to the school and staff. There aren’t enough guidelines for who this would apply to and how and how the rest of the student population is protected from a student taking advantage of this. Teachers aren't protected either. As a current teacher I would feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable implementing any of this for fear of something going wrong. 

Also as a teacher of young students, I know that young children aren’t developed enough to be in situations where they are making decisions about these things. It is one thing to discuss it at home or in a classroom. It is a whole different thing entirely for it to be practiced at a school and then not have to inform parents. It is a major safety risk! 

CommentID: 92704