Greetings VDOE,

My name is Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott and I'm a previous school counselor and special educator, as well as a current associate professor in school counseling and the immediate-past chair of the VA School Counselor Association board. I specifically teach my graduate students (future school counselors) the importance of being an ally to students who identify as LGBTQ+, and we spend ample class time investigating strategies to build an inclusive school climate.

I was very pleased to see the impressive advisory board used to create this policy, and that the policy statement is based on best practices, research, and organizations dedicated to serving and advocating for students who identify as LGBTQ+. As this policy statement discusses, there is a tremendous need to support students who are transgender, and I appreciate that this policy statement is a place to begin with our Virginia schools.

Further, this policy appears to be in alignment with the ethical standards of the American School Counselor Association.

Thus, I am in full support of this proposed policy. Thank you for your commitment serving students in Virginia, and for promoting a more equitable and inclusive school community.

Sincerely,

Emily Goodman-Scott, PhD

Associate Professor of Counseling, Old Dominion University