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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1/7/21  9:14 am
Commenter: Catherina Hurlburt

Strongly Support
 

As a parent of a transgender student who was able to thrive because of supportive educators, mentors, and counselors, and thus graduate with honors from both high school and university because of that inclusive support, I strongly support the proposed guidance for ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all transgender and non-binary students. Not all transgender/non-binary students have that supportive environment, and it's a detriment both to their mental health and academic thriving. And when their home environment has hostile/toxic parents/grandparents, schools are a haven when they have supportive counselors, administration, and teachers/mentors supporting those students for who they are.

CommentID: 88694