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  11:19 pm
Commenter: Sheila Byrd

Teacher/parent strongly oppose
 

It is nothing less than an abject abrogation of duty to protect our students if you allow this ridiculous set of policies to become actionable in public schools.  

Not only are you mandating that students should now be in charge of telling teachers what to do, you are asking teachers and schools to do things that are impossible to enforce and moreover will only increase the instances of abuse, bullying, and assault.  

In what democratic republic on earth do schools encourage MINORS to behave in ways dangerous to themselves and others and NOT inform parents??  This entire document is beyond all reasonable comprehension.  

Stop playing dime store psychologists, try TEACHING our children some literature, mathematics, arts, and some actual history instead your watered down version of social studies indoctrination. You might try teaching biology too!!  Refer these troubled teenagers to professionals who can help them.  Don't upend and entire school system in an effort to appease a dangerous political mob.  Love the VAST majority of students who are not dysphoric in this way alone, and get back to teaching and learning, if you can.

Thank you.

CommentID: 97030