As is the nature of things, the once ignited conversation about the Obama administration’s directive to allow transgender students the option to use facilities they identify with has largely quieted down some.

Not that long ago, impassioned individuals spoke out in either support or fierce opposition to the initiative, with officials from several states gathering together to threaten legal action if forced to comply.

On the other side of the spectrum, many states have been looking to go above and beyond to find ways to accommodate transgender students in schools. Before the announcement of Obama’s directive, for instance, Michigan had issued a guidance to its schools that transgender students should be allowed to pick their own gender identify without interference from either officials or parents.

This week, in Washington State, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction revealed new Health and Physical Education Standards that add a component to provide students as young as kindergarten with gender fluid education.

Says King5.com:

"When it comes to sexual health, there is now a self-identity component. It says that kindergarten students can be taught to "understand there are many ways to express gender.”

Marissa Rathbone, OSPI's director of learning and teaching told King5.com that the addition to the standards is meant to teach “demystify” gender norms for the youngest of learners.

The standards aren’t requirements but rather suggestions and OPSI officials acknowledge that every district has the right to interpret and implement the standards in their own way.

Read more.

Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

6/8/2016

Related readings:

• DOE Makes Decision on Transgendered Educational Rights 
• Federal Threat to North Carolina Education Funding Looms in Wake of Transgender Bathroom Bill 
• New Guidance from Michigan Board of Education Pushes State Schools to Allow Students to Pick Gender Identities 
• State Issues Guidance for Helping Transgender Students