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  9:54 am
Commenter: T. Mason

Support students' rights to safe learning environments
 

Human rights are human rights, regardless of the bodies we inhabit. ALL students deserve to learn in a safe(r) learning environment than the bigoted ones they experience today. Just as any student who may be labeled as "different", trans students have been subjected to abuse, isolation, and mistreatment from students, faculty, and staff for years, and do not deserve to be targets of abuse because they choose to live into their truths and express themselves outwardly the way they feel and identify inwardly. Yes, all students deserve the right to dignity and respect, and this guidance assists us in getting to that place. We all do better when we all do better. Trans students need our focus right now, and I support this guidance and encourage further learning, teaching, and understanding of the needs of trans, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, and non-binary people. 

CommentID: 94985