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  11:53 pm
Commenter: Martha Poe

Supporting Trans Students Allows for Better Learning
 

It is imperative that we consider the core purpose of our schools- to increase the knowledge, skill set, and social intelligence of our students while preparing them for any challenge they meet later in life. This can be best accomplished by allowing each student to be as "comfortable in their own skin" as possible. When a student is able to reduce social stress (i.e. having a comfortable place to use the restroom, feeling that their name truly belongs to them, etc.) it opens the door for better focus and learning opportunities with fewer emotional and psychological distractors. The model policies put forth are a small task in exchange for even one student to be able to learn and engage more efficiently.   

 

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