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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1/13/21  10:51 am
Commenter: Beverley Walker

Public School Transgender Policies
 

I do not approve or think necessary these proposed guidelines that seem to want to blur the lines between male and female and seem to be written to indoctrinate students and usurp parental responsibility. A teacher cannot be expected to know which pronouns to use when  students could change their sexual preferences, perhaps on a daily basis. There should be verifiable and substantial evidence that a sex change has taken place. Parents should be included in all counseling sessions with students regarding their gender identity and any other family life issues in the areas of health or sexuality. Parents should be made aware, and indeed have a right to know, if a biological male is using a bathroom or locker room designated for girls. Gender neutral dress code standards will cause chaos. How do these changes in public policy advance or improve the building of strong, traditional families which have been proven to result in a stable structure to ensure a healthy society?  Every major and credible study shows that a traditional family structure equals overall positive outcomes. 

CommentID: 89847