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.
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
1/4/21  10:16 am
Commenter: Zoe Padron

I support this policy
 

As an educator and a mother I completely support this policy. I have worked with many LBGTQIA+ students over the years and have seen how difficult it can be for students who are gender nonconforming or transgender to navigate public schools when there are not policies in place to support them. Rates of depression, feelings of isolation, and real and present concerns about safety are everyday occurrences for students who attend school but do not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth. Policies like this one will not solve everything. There is no silver bullet. But this policy will go a long way to helping to make school safer for LGBTQIA+ students and it will mean that their rights are respected and their humanity is recognized. Isn't that what everyone wants? The right to be treated with dignity and respect.

CommentID: 87924