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  11:54 am
Commenter: Noah

Trans Kids Deserve Support
 

Grappling with trans identity as a young person is hard enough without an unsupportive learning environment. Our schools should be places where trans youth feel comfortable to express themselves, and teachers should be have guidelines for handling specific issues related to trans students. The key phrase in this guidance is "evidence-based" – and the evidence refutes scaremongering that trans students using the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their gender identity will lead to a tsunami of abuse and discomfort. Providing support and guidelines for teachers will also allow them to better mediate any issues that arise, a win-win for everyone. Don't be swayed by anti-trans rhetoric. 

CommentID: 95266