Officials at Eastern Suffolk BOCES will host educators from across Long Island this week in one of the first regional training sessions on the state’s updated guidelines regarding transgender and gender-expansive students.
The guidance from the state Education Department, which instructs educators on how to handle student pronouns, restrooms and other issues, was issued in June. The guidance also is a reminder for schools to adhere to the state’s Dignity for All Students Act and comply with other federal and state nondiscrimination laws and regulations, the Education Department said.
The Long Island-based LGBT Network also plans to hold its first training for school officials on the guidelines, as well as other topics, during the network’s annual youth conference at Suffolk County Community College in March.
The state’s updated guidelines recommends that schools address students by their chosen names and pronouns without requiring parental consent. The guidance also said students are entitled to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity, and instead of addressing students as “boys and girls,” it’s recommended that educators refer to them as learners, scholars or field-specific names such as writers or scientists.
WHAT TO KNOW
- Officials at Eastern Suffolk BOCES will host educators from across Long Island this week in one of the first regional training sessions on the state’s upated guidelines regarding transgender and gender-expansive students.
- The Long Island-based LGBT Network also plans to hold its first training for school officials on the guidelines, as well as other topics, during the network’s annual youth conference at Suffolk County Community College in March.
- The guidance from the state Department of Education, which instructs educators on how to handle student pronouns, restrooms and other issues, was issued in June.
“I’m a member of the LGBTQ community and I am an advocate for LGBTQ youth,” said Nichelle Rivers, assistant…
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