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.
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
1/19/21  3:05 pm
Commenter: Stefanie Vestal, Fairfax County Public Schools

SUPPORT Model Policies
 

As a 7th grade teacher, a member of the LGBTQ+ Community, and the liaison for the LGBTQ+ Support and Advocacy Group at my school I can not support these policies strongly enough.  Students learn from their environments and we need to make sure that school environments are inclusive and safe spaces for all students.  Teachers and staff need to be trained to create welcoming spaces and discourage inappropriate and disrespectful behavior.  Administrations need to set policies in place that are conducive to teachers and students reporting bullying or unsafe spaces.  Students need to be held accountable for respecting all people and being kind to all humans.

CommentID: 90786