Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Education

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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1/4/21 1:31 pm

Commenter: Marijean Oldham

I Fully Support this Guidance

I fully support and applaud the guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools. As a parent of two school-aged kids and two adults, I am well aware of the need for kids to feel safe to thrive at school. These policies, in addition to the professional development that teachers and staff will receive in order to more fully understand the gender spectrum and gender identity, will be life-affirming for LGBTQ+ students and their families. Thank you for these policies and for prioritizing the safety, well-being, and inclusion of all students in Virginia.

CommentID: 87945