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  4:28 pm
Commenter: Annabelle Barsky

Strongly SUPPORT from a Counselor
 

As a school counselor I work to make sure the social and emotional needs of children are fully recognized and supported, to ensure their success growing and learning. If a child's identity is disrespected, if their humanity and agency are denied, there is a much greater chance they fall behind in learning, in making friends, and in developing into fully-formed, confident, successful people. Our job as educators is to respect, uplift, and support the youth we teach, with no exceptions. Transgender students must be respected, uplifted, and supported, and this begins with explicit messages of support coming from the top. I fully support this guidance, and any conscionable educator, politician, or parent must support it as well. 

CommentID: 95844