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Shenandoah County Public Schools has adopted a policy prohibiting the instruction of gender identity at all grade levels.
Policy INB, titled "Teaching About Controversial Issues," defines gender identity as “an individual’s self-conception as male, female, a blend of both, or neither” and includes “the teaching of more than two genders or the ability to identify as a gender other than one’s biological sex at birth.”
Under this policy, teachers and staff are barred from incorporating gender identity-related instruction, guidance, activities, or programming. School board member Gloria Carlineo, who authored the policy, stated that the goal is to keep the focus on academics and prevent controversial topics from entering the classroom.
The parental consensus is mixed, with some parents supporting the policy’s traditional values, and other parents voicing concerns that it could harm students. Shenandoah County resident Linda Thomas-Fowler expressed concerns about the policy’s potential impact on vulnerable youth. She warned that banning discussions on gender identity will hinder teachers and counselors from supporting students who are struggling with their identity.
The school board said the policy aims to avoid controversial topics in the classroom. Thomas-Fowler disagrees. “If a student transitions and another student asks a teacher, ‘I don’t understand what’s going on,’ the teacher can’t say anything. If a student confides in a guidance counselor, saying, ‘I think I might be transgender,’ what help can they get? None,” she said. “This policy is going to hurt children.”.
The board has not yet determined if training will be provided to employees.
SOURCE: WHSV