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  12:51 pm
Commenter: John Clisham

Transgender Student Safety and Protection
 
Good Afternoon,
 
I'm writing to support protections for transgender and non-binary students in all of Virginia's public schools. These students deserve a safe place to learn and succeed, and protections will help facilitate a positive learning environment for everyone.
 
I'm a veteran educator of over thirty years. As a counselor I have worked with transgender students and their families on inclusion and safety issues. The state of Virginia must protect every student who walks into a school building ready, willing and able to learn. It is our duty to serve everyone.
 
Please do what you can, to protect all LGBT students under the care of the entire Virginia school system. It is the right thing to do!
 
Thank you for your time,
 
John Clisham
Wakefield High School
College & Career Counselor 
Arlington, VA
 
 



CommentID: 95376