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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1/5/21  1:19 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Violation of Public School Responsibilities _Remove statement
 

Public School provide mental health staff to address MANY student concern.  Remove all language below as this is already covered under existing guidelines.  NOT a PUBLIC SCHOOL responsibility to state what parents can encourage or not.  Parents and school staff are partners in children's educational needs. (Public school does not have the authority to write policy on what parents can or can not do)

 

"Parents who encourage their children to embrace their God-given sex would be at risk of being reported for child abuse or neglect by the school. 

“School staff should be prepared to support the safety and welfare of transgender students when their families are not affirming. … Whenever school personnel suspects or becomes aware that a student is being abused, neglected, or at risk of abuse or neglect by their parent due to their transgender identity, they should report those concerns to Child Protective Services immediately.” (Recommended Standard, p.13)"

CommentID: 88310