JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education cited Duval County Public Schools for possible compliance issues with the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which includes the Parental Rights in Education or as critics call it, ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
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DCPS was one of nine total counties in Florida which received similar letters.
The Board of Education said some of the district’s policies “may have not yet been updated to comply with revised Florida law.”
The letter highlighted policy concerns with DCPS’ guidance on restrooms and locker rooms, overnight field trips, and LGBTQ student guidelines.
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The letter was sent Nov. 18 and the Board of Education had an updated call with members and district superintendents Wednesday.
Under current DCPS policy, “Disclosure by a student of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity absent other factors does not mandate reporting the disclosure to a parent.”
For restrooms, locker rooms, and overnight field trips, the policy states the district will, “develop a plan on a case-by-case basis that meets privacy concerns.”
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Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene responded with draft revisions.
In reference to LGBTQ student guidelines, the district said, “...disclosure by a student of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity should be evaluated to determine whether such disclosure may result in a change in the student’s services or monitoring...’. That would then require parent notification.
In reference to bathrooms, the draft said students will be allowed to use any bathroom in accordance with gender identity. For locker rooms, the district said they would be separated by biological sex at birth.
Action News Jax reported when the student support guide was originally under review by district board members in May.
Related Story: DCPS reworks existing student support guide to coincide with Parental Rights in Education law
In an emailed statement, a district representative said, “The district continues to work locally with the Office of General Counsel and at the state level with the Department of Education to ensure that our procedures are in line with both state and federal law.”
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The statement went on to say, “These are administrative procedures that do not require board approval. The board completed the required policy work earlier this year. These procedures, once final, will be contained in the Comprehensive Student Support Guide, which is not yet complete. We cannot provide an estimated completion date, but it is a priority to complete this work in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel and the Department of Education.”
