Most children today don't care what sex people identify as, and neither do most parents or school officials. Most take a "live and let live" attitude. What is proposed here is bad policy and financially costly. The number of transgender students in FX County (the largest school system in the state and one of the most supportive of trans students) is estimated to be less than 50 people total and yet this policy places significant burden on millions of good teachers, administrators, parents, and other children. It is likely that there are school districts in Virginia with single digit transgender people. It is more practical, and more cost effective, to treat each transgender child uniquely at their school. I am also strongly opposed to the school system stepping in and assuming the role of parent. Parents must be at the center of their child's life, and brought into the conversation. Studies have shown that when children feel disconnected from their parents, their life outcome is severely degraded. This policy undermines parental involvement and is therefore detrimental to the long term success of children.

Further, will this policy ultimately enable biological males who are transgender to be allowed to participate in girls/womens sports? Scientific evidence is clear that these athletes would have a significant advantage over biological females. The unintended result will be that many young girls are discouraged and end up feeling inferior in biological males. This is exactly the opposite of what our systems are set up for.

There is a better way than this policy.