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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1/15/21  10:40 am
Commenter: The Rev. Stuart E Schadt, Trinity Episcopal Church

Support Policies for Treatment of Transgender Students in Va Schools
 

I was talking to a 7th-grade Virginia public school teacher recently who was grading the reading logs of her 100+ students. Remember how much less influence they have over each other because of virtual school and yet there was one clear novel that was most read. It was Wonder, the story of a boy with a facial abnormality that makes him stand out and be rejected by many. I think this story captures every youth's feeling of being different and fearing being an outcast. How much truer is this, how much of a reality is this for Gender Nonconforming students. We need to make our schools safe for Gender Nonconforming Students and for all students. These policies are a step forward.

CommentID: 90146