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  1:16 pm
Commenter: Becky Johnston

Fully support trans student rights
 

I highly recommend making all students, regardless of gender identity feel supported and equal to their peers by all means necessary, and that starts with the schools.  Trans kids face a multitude of discrimination and shame in everyday life and the schools should be a safe place for them to go, be able to be who they are, without fear of retribution.  With these policies in place it will set a tone that discrimination and violence against others cannot be tolerated.  It also sends the message that teachers and others are safe people to be around and will accept students for who they are.  The third message is that they are human beings, deserving of the same rights as all others, and should never be dehumanized by others for their identity.  This is one step towards civility and wellbeing within the school setting.

CommentID: 95432