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  4:08 pm
Commenter: Wei Lo

Strongly Support as an education professional
 

I believe that every student deserves equal access to a safe and nurturing learning environment. We know many trans students are not afforded this experience. School needs to be the environment that protects every student (especially those who have experienced more marginalization) and for all students to learn how to be healthy citizens, to respect others who are different. This bill is the bare minimum for every school district to have in their policy. It is important even further, for specific more detailed strategies to be put into individual district policies for trans students. 

CommentID: 95799