LANSING – The State Board of Education is collecting comments from educators, parents, and the public on Draft Guidance to local school districts on how to provide a safe and supportive education environment for LGTBQ students.
The public comment period for the Draft Guidance document on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students has been extended through May 11.
“I know this is very important for the people of West Michigan to understand,” said State Board of Education member Lupe Ramos-Montigny of Grand Rapids. “Every student should feel safe in school and we’re trying to help school districts develop options to provide that.
“We want to be very thoughtful in this discussion, hear all of the input, and clarify any misconceptions that may be out there,” Ramos-Montigny added. “I want parents to be involved in these decisions, just as I want safe classrooms, restrooms, and locker rooms.”
There are nearly 10,000 public comments submitted already, just via the online format. There also are additional comments via fax and traditional mail. Online links are provided below to read the actual Draft Guidance document and provide public input.
Ramos-Montigny said the State Board of Education has provided the following clarification regarding the Draft Guidance, including the fact that this Guidance document would not be mandated and that local school districts would be making their own decisions on their local policies:
1. A number of school districts asked the State Board of Education for guidance on how to address circumstances where transgender students and their parents express how the students were being marginalized, excluded, and discriminated against.
2. A work group was formed by the State Board to develop a Guidance document for local school districts. This work group consisted of parents, teachers, students, administrators, social workers, psychologists, local school board members, attorneys, and other stakeholders.
3. Draft Guidance was developed by this work group for the State Board to consider adopting, to provide assistance to local school districts that may be faced with these circumstances.
This Guidance would not be required to be adopted by any local school district, it merely offers options for districts to consider, if they so choose.
4. As with all State Board of Education guidance, this would not be mandatory for local school districts to adopt. Local school districts each would decide to do what they believe is appropriate and helpful for all of their students.
5. The Draft Guidance was presented at a public meeting of the State Board of Education on March 8. That Draft Guidance now is open for public comment. Each member of the Legislature was sent notice on March 17 of this public comment opportunity, with a link to the Draft Guidance document.
6. The State Board welcomes public input as it will continue to deliberate on providing guidance and assistance for school districts wanting to ensure the safety and inclusion of all of its students.
