From Caitlyn Jenner to "I Am Jazz," the transgender community has recently gained national attention in the news and pop culture. Simultaneously, issues relative to accommodating transgender students and employees have grown in schools and workplaces across the country.

Transgender individuals are those who identify with the gender that does not correspond to their biological sex assigned at birth. As many school districts are coming to learn, transgender students face practical problems while attending school. This usually begins with what restroom the transgender student should use, but may also include what sports team the student is permitted to play for or what physical education class the student should participate in.

Despite the various issues that transgender students and individuals face, federal and state law, has been slow to address these dynamics and Michigan law does not provide guidance on the treatment of transgender individuals. This leaves Michigan school districts without much practical guidance on how to accommodate transgender students at school on a day-to-day basis. Luckily, various agencies, state education departments, and other organizations have drafted guidelines that school districts may utilize as guidance when considering how best to support transgender students. [Read more...]