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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2/3/21  11:57 am
Commenter: Mother of 4

This is so wrong on so many levels. /Transgender Policy
 

I strongly disagree with this proposal. While our schools need to focus on inclusion and less bullying across all areas, this will not help that. I strongly disagree with any proposal that silences one group. And this does that. It cuts the parents out of what is happening with sexual identity of children. It silences families that believe in sons, daughters and mom and dads. It cuts out any supper of families who do not agree with any part of this proposal by saying not agreeing is bullying. That’s not true. You can disagree and still love and include someone. Focus on inclusion of ALL. Also this seems to be a medical and mental health diagnosis which schools have no ability to make or hold up. I know because CCPS tells us all the time they cannot diagnose or even use the words dyslexic for my child, who is dyslexic, because it is a medically diagnosis and they cannot diagnosis medically. Gender should also be something a parent and medical is discussing. Once a family and medical team has established this, they may approach the school to create needs for child. But the public school should be doing nothing but including that child as every other child. This proposal doesn’t do that. Also, as a parent I have a right to know what body parts my young child may be exposed to at school. As in shared bathrooms and changing rooms. Again this proposal is not ok. Focus on inclusion not silencing groups as this does. 

CommentID: 95270