Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Education

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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1/8/21 2:04 pm

Commenter: Anonymous

OPPOSED

The VDOE has gone far beyond its mandate in drafting this guidance. Educators need to stop trying to replace parents and focus on academics. The model regulations infringe the First Amendment rights of parents to raise and care for their children. No child should be forced to share showers, locker rooms, hotel rooms or other settings with a member of the opposite biological sex. The proposal is inappropriately attempting to inject school board ideologies into young minds creating confusion, division, and harm to children, families, and communities.

CommentID: 88988