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  1:32 pm
Commenter: Katie Richard, LPC

Strongly Support
 

This proposed document supports best policies for transgender and non-binary students. What we know is that such protections make a huge difference in the lives of trans and non-binary students and do not negatively impact the educational experience of their cisgender peers. Supporting this will put Virginia on the right side of history. The comments reflected opposing this document mirror the prejudiced arguments seen when schools were being desegregated. Thank you.

 

CommentID: 92716