Supporting transgender and gender-expansive children in school

Abstract

As transgender people have received greater visibility and acceptance, as well as increased legal protections, educators have begun to examine their school policies and practices with an eye toward legal compliance and a desire to be welcoming to all students. Melinda Mangin shares insights from interviews with educators who have sought to improve their policies and practices on the district, school, and classroom level. Providing support requires educators to learn about the differences between sex, gender, and sexuality; to be proactive in creating inclusive policies before issues arise; and to work closely with parents and students to understand their needs.