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  7:29 am
Commenter: Sarah Koch

I do not support this
 

I do not support these new policies.  Specifically I think that we need to have single use bathrooms.  I think it presents a danger to transgender and non transgender students to have anyone of any gender to be able to walk in and out of any bathroom. As a mother of two daughters I want them to feel safe and comfortable using the bathroom. Further I disagree with the idea that staff and admin can keep information from parents.  The school should be a support to parents and families and help them navigate the issues of gender and offer resources, not be the overarching final word on the issue and hide the issue from parents.  As a parent I want to be able to be there for my child and help my child navigate their questions and issues within the confines of our family belief structure.  I also think that with the fluidity of language it is unfair to discriminate against teachers and students if they use the wrong pronoun.  

CommentID: 94788