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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1/11/21  9:38 am
Commenter: Debbie Bourne -Grandparent of 5th grader

Absolute OPPOSITION! Transgender policy
 

This policy is totally deceptive and degrading to our majority of children.  I feel these issues are a private matter that should be handled discreetly by parents and professionals.  Why are private issues being broadcast all over the world and being used to change society.  Having worked in schools for 24 years, I know there were issues the Nurse and Parents worked out for certain problems of students ( as in a need for a restroom). what about privacy of the average student.  By making such an issue of transgender, you are confusing other children.  Parents advocating these issues are not helping their child.  As for one day I want to be a girl and the next a boy, that sounds ridiculous and confusing for a child.  I feel common sense has been taken out of all education processes and the hype of making the majority accept their unacceptable policies is in.  This sounds like a mental issue  for parents believing in this treatment and certainly for a child who goes thru many feelings. The idea of taking away parental input on their own child and not seeking a physciatrist is baffling to me..  This problem is why we have such professions.  I don't want my grandchildren exposed to such non-sense.  This is once again lowering standards and taking away rights of a parent and child.  If there are physical problems with a child, this is understandable, but a mindset of chaos and forcing others to agree is totally against our Constitutional right.  People are more accepting of issues when less attention is brought to the issues and you will NEVER change all minds as to acceptance of everyone.  Toleration is one thing, but absolute force thru policy is another.  I am disgusted with the Education process as a whole, these personal issues carry more weight than our children being taught to sign their name...in cursive writing.  Why not get back to education's real purpose, READING, WRITING and MATH( which is more simple to learn!). Go back to the classroom with real issues, the children learning from a competent teacher rather than a SCREEN!

CommentID: 89430