The Obama administration is telling public schools across the country they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.
As a result, Springfield-area schools are reviewing their policies regarding transgender students' use of bathrooms.
A letter, signed by the leaders of the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education, was sent to school districts Friday. It sets guidelines on how schools can operate in compliance with Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on a student's gender identity.
The guidance doesn't have the force of law but tells schools how the Department of Education intends to enforce Title IX in the future. And because Title IX …show more content…
The News-Leader contacted several Springfield-area school districts with requests for comment.
John Jungmann, the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, said in a news release that the district will take the next few weeks to review the guidance to ensure its practices are in compliance with law.
He said letters like the one sent Friday provide advance notice about potential legal issues that may in the future be enforced as a violation of law.
Stephen Kleinsmith, the superintendent of Nixa Public Schools, said he believes many of the guidelines set by the Obama administration are fine, but he disagrees with the bathroom …show more content…
Students or their parents must simply notify a school that a student is transgender.
The administration has also released a 25-page document outlining best practices for public schools. It provides examples of ways that schools across the country are supporting transgender students.
Amanda Derham is chair of the Springfield chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national organization that advocates for inclusive policies at schools. She said this directive is about creating "safe and affirming schools," noting that LGBT students have more missed days of school because of the bullying.
Derham said that when children aren't going to school because they don't feel comfortable using the bathroom, they are losing their right to a public education.
This directive puts the focus back on the children, she said, noting that the issue has become a "political maelstrom."
Derham said she hopes that the Springfield school district, which is the largest in Missouri, moves quickly on the Obama administration's
As a result, Springfield-area schools are reviewing their policies regarding transgender students' use of bathrooms.
A letter, signed by the leaders of the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education, was sent to school districts Friday. It sets guidelines on how schools can operate in compliance with Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on a student's gender identity.
The guidance doesn't have the force of law but tells schools how the Department of Education intends to enforce Title IX in the future. And because Title IX …show more content…
The News-Leader contacted several Springfield-area school districts with requests for comment.
John Jungmann, the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, said in a news release that the district will take the next few weeks to review the guidance to ensure its practices are in compliance with law.
He said letters like the one sent Friday provide advance notice about potential legal issues that may in the future be enforced as a violation of law.
Stephen Kleinsmith, the superintendent of Nixa Public Schools, said he believes many of the guidelines set by the Obama administration are fine, but he disagrees with the bathroom …show more content…
Students or their parents must simply notify a school that a student is transgender.
The administration has also released a 25-page document outlining best practices for public schools. It provides examples of ways that schools across the country are supporting transgender students.
Amanda Derham is chair of the Springfield chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a national organization that advocates for inclusive policies at schools. She said this directive is about creating "safe and affirming schools," noting that LGBT students have more missed days of school because of the bullying.
Derham said that when children aren't going to school because they don't feel comfortable using the bathroom, they are losing their right to a public education.
This directive puts the focus back on the children, she said, noting that the issue has become a "political maelstrom."
Derham said she hopes that the Springfield school district, which is the largest in Missouri, moves quickly on the Obama administration's