New York City Department of Education (DOE) has policies to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment in all schools. To support this commitment, there are two new sets of guidelines for schools to affirm, respect, and support students’ identities.
Students are able to change their name and/or gender on permanent school records without legal documentation, by submitting a signed Name and Gender Change Request Form to their school. For more information and to access the form in multiple languages, visit the DOE Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students and visit the “Student Records” section.
Families will also be able to self-report their child’s name and/or gender upon enrolling in a DOE school.
Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students
Our Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students outline protocols and offer best practices for supporting transgender and gender expansive students. These guidelines apply to NYCDOE school-based, central, and field support staff.
Revisions to the guidelines include a pathway for students to change their name and/or gender on their permanent school records (by using the Name and Gender Change Request Form) and the opportunity of families to self-report their child’s gender upon enrolling in DOE school. The new guidelines also include expanded terminology and sports and physical education opportunities for trans and gender expansive students.
Guidelines on Gender Inclusion
Our first ever Guidelines on Gender Inclusion will help schools implement gender-inclusive curricula, programs, activities, and practices that are consistent with our policies and with the DOE’s commitment to equity and access.
Noteworthy provisions in the guidelines include updates to dress codes and health class protocols.