https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi en-us 2022-09-23 19:20:14 UTC 2022-10-01 05:13:18 UTC hello@padlet.com sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320296248 Professional Perspective: I was a high school math teacher for eight years, before transitioning to a homebound teacher for the same district this year. I have taught general education math as well as special education math.

Audience: This guide could be used by other school counselors and administrators.

Topic: Attorney General Opinion KP-0401 states that some gender-affirming care for trans children could be considered child abuse. On February 28, 2022, Governor Abbott directed the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate families of trans students who consented to gender-affirming care (Gelorme, 2022).

I chose this topic because I had several students who were concerned when the Governor stated that. My students were afraid to come to school and their parents were scared to send them to school.]]> 2022-09-30 01:24:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320296248 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320306452 ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. (2022). American School Counseling Association. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)

Gelorme, A. (2022, April 1). Texas governor categorizes transgender healthcare as "child abuse". JurisMagazine. https://sites.law.duq.edu/juris/2022/04/01/texas-governor-categorizes-transgender-healthcare-as-child-abuse/

Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District School Board. (2022, August 8).  TASB update 119 overview.  https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/hebisd/Board.nsf/Public#

Rose, A. (2022, September 16).  Judge rules Texas must stop child abuse investigations of gender-affirming care against members of LGBTQ advocacy groups.  CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/16/us/texas-gender-affirming-care-ruling/index.html

Texas Education Code Chapter 33  §  33.006

Texas Education Code Chapter 38  §  38.351

U.S. Const. amend. l

U.S. Department of Education. (2015). Every Student Succeeds Act

Weber, A. (2022, May 24). Gender-affirming care may continue at Texas clinic while lawsuit heads to trial. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1100897969/gender-affirming-care-may-continue-at-texas-clinic-while-lawsuit-heads-to-trial]]> 2022-09-30 01:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320306452 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320318443 The ASCA Ethical Standards can be found here: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)

The ASCA states that school counselors are to "Foster and affirm all students and their identity and psychosocial development" (ASCA, 2022). If counselors do not support students and their individuality and their choice to choose what gender they are, then we are not upholding this standard. ]]> 2022-09-30 01:42:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320318443 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320328537 https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Transgender-Gender-noncon

This is a link to the position statement that ASCA has for school counselors on transgender students and nonbinary youth. In summary, this states that a school counselor needs to encourage a safe environment for all students regardless of their gender identity or gender expression.]]> 2022-09-30 01:51:51 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320328537 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320337740 According to Jenai Alvarez, who was a school counselor at my high school and is now a graduation coach at a school district close to where I work, the issue of transgender students has created issues for students and teachers. Teachers came to the counselors asking what the school district's policy was going to be and if we, as teachers, needed to report transgender students. There were many students who were also scared to come to school that were already in the process of transitioning. This opinion and directive from the governor goes against the ASCA school counselor standard that we are to create a safe space for all students. (J. Alvarez, personal communication, September 17, 2022).]]> 2022-09-30 02:00:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320337740 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320347400 - Discuss with administration what the school district's stance on the issue is. Get a clear response on expectations of the school district of when and if you will be required to report.

- Provide students with a safe space to discuss issues and feelings, whether it is in your office or with an out-of-district person or group. 

- Discuss with students and families different groups that they can become members of that will protect them against child abuse accusations.
(J. Alvarez, personal communication, September 17, 2022)]]> 2022-09-30 02:09:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320347400 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320356469 Jenai stated that the issue of reporting transgender students goes against the ethical standards set forth by the ASCA. As counselors, we are supposed to protect all students regardless of their gender identity. If this becomes a law that school districts will have to enforce, transgender students will not feel safe at school and not go. Or, they will hide their true self and not talk to adults for fear of being reported. This will affect the mental health of transgender students and their families ( J. Alvarez, personal communication, September 17, 2022).]]> 2022-09-30 02:16:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320356469 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320357541 Jenai Alvarez, Graduation Coach, Richland High School
https://www.birdvilleschools.net/Page/67244]]> 2022-09-30 02:17:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320357541 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320380102 https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/16/us/texas-gender-affirming-care-ruling/index.html

This article states that the state of Texas cannot pursue child abuse allegations against families if they belong to PFLAG, which is a group that is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Texas (Rose, 2022).]]> 2022-09-30 02:36:35 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320380102 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320386702 https://www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1100897969/gender-affirming-care-may-continue-at-texas-clinic-while-lawsuit-heads-to-trial

This is a transcript of a radio show that discusses gender-affirming care. On this radio show, it is discussed that a court ruled that children can still receive gender-affirming care while the families are apart of a lawsuit. However, it is brought to light that there are families who are going to other states to receive care. Some families are crossing state borders to receive care because they are scared for the safety of their child and themselves (Weber, 2022). ]]> 2022-09-30 02:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2320386702 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321735654 https://go.boarddocs.com/tx/hebisd/Board.nsf/Public#

The only policy that HEB ISD has on transgender students is that they are not permitted to participate in sports other than that of their biological sex at birth. The school district did not clarify to their teachers what position they are to take in reporting child abuse. The teachers were under guidance from campus administration that until the district made a clear policy teachers were not to report child abuse for transgender students.]]> 2022-10-01 02:01:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321735654 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321745267 1. As a counselor, I need to be able to create a safe environment for students, regardless if I agree with their beliefs or not. Students need to know that they can come to the counseling office and be heard instead of judged for their actions or beliefs. This is part of the ethical standards that counselors are to adhere to. 

2. Part of my educational goal is to be able to help as many students as possible. I want to create a safe environment for students to come and talk through issues they are having and for them to know that they have an adult in their corner to support them. I wanted to make a bigger impact than that of a teacher, I wanted to be able to help more students than those in my class.]]> 2022-10-01 02:24:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321745267 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321769281 1. Clarify with administration on policies related to transgender students.

2. Always be supportive of students. Your office needs to be a safe space for students.

3. Stay up-to-date on laws and policies regarding transgender students.

4. Use risk assessment procedures when talking with students who are part of the LGTBQ+ community. Students who are part of the LGTBQ+ community are at a higher risk of mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.

5. Always keep open communication between yourself, parents, administrators and students.

6. Let students know that what they say is confidential and cannot be shared unless they are going to harm themselves or others, or if the student reports neglect or abuse of any kind.

7. Make sure to check-in on LGTBQ+ students more often to make sure they are doing ok and are not experiencing any bullying from others.]]> 2022-10-01 03:24:42 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321769281 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321780897 https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/40

The Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1972  (20 U.S.C. §1701) states that all children are entitled to equal education opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin. This includes sexual preference and gender identification.]]> 2022-10-01 03:58:16 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321780897 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321780934 https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_38.351

In Sec. 38.351, subsection c of the Texas Education Code (TEC) it states that schools are to provide positive school climates, positive youth development, and a safe, supportive and positive school climate. If students do not feel safe at school because of their sexual preference/orientation, we would not be upholding the TEC.]]> 2022-10-01 03:58:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321780934 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321794525 https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/

The first amendment to the constitution provides protections for assembling and freedom of speech. Students have the right to be able to express themselves (U.S. Const. amend. l).

]]> 2022-10-01 04:39:42 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321794525 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321797061 https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_33.006

The TEC states that counselors need to address the special needs of students who are at risk of dropping out, becoming substance abusers, or committing suicide. Transgender students fall under each of those categories. As counselors, we need to keep an eye on those students in particular to make sure they do not wander down one of those paths.]]> 2022-10-01 04:47:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321797061 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321797759 https://www.ed.gov/essa?src%3Drn

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 grants all students the right to a fair, equitable and high quality education. This includes transgender students]]> 2022-10-01 04:50:17 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321797759 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321800403 https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_37.001

Texas Education Code 37.001 states that school must have a student code of conduct that includes information on bullying and harassment. This is important as many transgender youth are a victim of bullying and harassment by peers. It is important that schools have an outlet for these students and clubs and organizations they can join to make friends and have a bigger support system on campus.]]> 2022-10-01 04:59:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321800403 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321800958 https://www.aclu.org/cases/grimm-v-gloucester-county-school-board

Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board is a court case that upheld the lower courts decisions of transgender students being allowed to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. In this case, Grimm, a student who identifies as a male, was banned from using the men's restroom at their school. They sued the school district and won. The ruling was appealed all the way to the supreme court, which upheld the ruling of the lower courts, which was that of students being able to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with.]]> 2022-10-01 05:02:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321800958 sbarnett62 https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321802716 https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/texas-judge-hears-case-transgender-child-abuse-investigations-n1291628

Texas judge stops the child abuse investigations against families of transgender children. This is a temporary measure until a final verdict in the case is reached. The reports of abuse are able to be continued but the Department of Family Services cannot investigate those reports. The Judge also protects those families who are members of PFLAG.]]> 2022-10-01 05:09:17 UTC https://padlet.com/sbarnett62/beel2g7xevipwrvi/wish/2321802716