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  1:02 pm
Commenter: Taylor Womack

Strongly Support
 

I strongly support guidance for students, administration & educators to support trans & nonbinary youth in our schools. This is extremely important as these are foundational years, and the students deserve to feel safe and acknowledged during this time. The school system should aim to set all students up for a confident and content adulthood.

I have seen other negative comments saying trans & nonbinary youth are just kids going through a phase, and that simply is not true. Kids just like adults are complex humanbeings, and not all fit the generic gender mold. Children and teens are in a time of growth, exploration and expanse and they should feel safe to express themselves as this majorly impacts their mental, and therefore physical, health as a youth and as an adult. Saftey & acceptance is extremely important and should be the golden standard, without question, in our school system. 

CommentID: 95394