Rhode Island Laws & Policies
Creating Safe and Supportive School Environments
1. "RIGL §16-2-17 Right to a safe school asserts that each student, staff member, teacher, and
administrator has a right to attend and/or work at a school which is safe and secure, and which is
conducive to learning, and which is free from the threat, actual or implied, of physical harm by a
disruptive student" (Page 6).
- This is an extremely important RIGL that all educators and support staff should be aware of. All students and staff members alike are entitled to a safe and secure learning and working environment where they are free from discrimination or harm of any kind. All students and staff, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are entitled to and deserving of this. Schools need to do everything in their power to ensure that people are safe in the learning environment.
2. "Transgender and gender non-conforming students have the right to discuss and express their
gender identity and expression openly and to decide when, with whom, and how much to share
private information" (Page 9).
- Last year, I had a ninth grade student in my class who preferred to be called a different name. This student expressed to me that they wished to be referred to by this name and politely requested that I keep that information private since their family was not accepting of this different name. I was very appreciative that this student felt comfortable and safe enough with me to tell me this, and I called the student by their preferred name throughout the semester. Transgender and gender non-conforming students at the high school level experience a tremendous amount of social, emotional, and physical change. As a teacher, I feel strongly that my job is to protect my students and make them feel safe, accepted, heard, and valued. While it is not within my control to discuss these matters with their families and meditate conversations, I feel that it is my job to control what I can in my classroom which is how I support and respect those students to the best of my ability.
3. Accordingly, the student may access the restroom, locker room, and changing facility that
correspond to the student’s gender identity. A student, upon request, should be provided with a
safe and non-stigmatizing alternative to a gender-segregated facility. This may include the addition
of a privacy partition or curtain, permission to use a nearby private restroom or office, or a
separate changing schedule" (Page 11).
- Schools are required to provide safe and non-stigmatizing settings for transgender or gender non-conforming students, even if that means a private restroom or changing facility. More than anything, it is critical to make these students feel comfortable in their school and help them to feel safe and protected by the school community. Providing a private space for these students when necessary is a great way to help them feel valued and protected in their school.
4. Woke Read Alouds: They, She He Easy as ABC
- Ki reads this children's read aloud with the focus of affirming peoples' identities and expanding peoples knowledge of gender. The focus is showing respect, care, and understanding to others at the elementary level.
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