Now through October 26, the state will hear public comments on the proposed Model Policies – and we need your help.

As you may have heard, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released proposed guidelines and model policies regarding the treatment of transgender students in Virginia Public Schools, called “2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools” (2022 Model Policies). The 2022 Model Policies are a significant departure from the 2021 Model Policies, upon which APS’s current policies are based. Once final, school divisions will be required by state law to adopt policies consistent with the 2022 Model Policies, although there are open questions about the legality of the 2022 Model Policies. 

You can read the 2022 Model Policies here:

https://doe.virginia.gov/support/gender-diversity/2022-model-policies-on-the-privacy-dignity-and-respect-for-all-students-town-hall.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0PaFSpIWwsfiohV11d1yz7z_nkmhBmw7DxSBqnr6o8iqKAlGkV36oes88

VDOE is accepting comments from the public on the 2022 Model Policies through 10/26/22. SEPTA encourages parents, teachers and community members to make your voice heard. 

Submit comments to VDOE:
https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Comments.cfm?GDocForumID=1953

Email the Arlington School Board: school.board@apsva.us

Contact the Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Jillian Balow (804) 225-2057

superintendent@doe.virginia.gov

SEPTA submitted comments to VDOE expressing our concerns with the impact of the 2022 Model Policies on students with disabilities. You can see SEPTA’s comment on our website: https://www.arlingtonsepta.org/advocacy/