Guidance for Rhode Island Schools on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students

 



The text provides guidance for teachers and staff in relation to transgender and gender-nonconforming students. This document begins by providing definitions for teachers and staff to refer to, as well as a list of federal and Rhode Island laws and policies regarding this topic. This document then explains information on topics ranging from pronouns to bathroom allocation. Regarding topics such as bathrooms and sports participation, schools are to allow students to choose based on the gender they identify with. The same applies to the dress code. It also provides information for teachers about how to handle a situation where a student is undergoing gender transformation. For elementary school students, it suggests working with parents and the school to support the student. For secondary students, it says contacting the parent is not always the best call due to possibly endangering the student. In terms of revealing information about a student's gender identity, teachers and staff are not authorized to share any private information about a student, regardless of whether the student is open about their identity or not.

Regarding training, to further inform and equip teachers to work with students who fall under the category of transgender or gender nonconforming, the guide suggests that schools should include training about this topic. Specifically incorporating it into other trainings, such as anti-bullying training or health education. The training should include issues such as understanding gender identity, how to handle bullying incidents and resources for students. They also state that schools should update their handbooks to include gender antidiscriminatory policies. Overall, this handbook provides schools with information about gender identities, topics that affect those students, and how to handle them in schools. In addition, it gives suggestions on actions schools can take to educate teachers and staff, as well as include gender policies in their handbooks.

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