The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is dismayed by recent media reports that the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to roll back civil rights for transgender people by redefining sex under Title IX as solely and irrevocably male or female at birth. Such a change would be detrimental to the 2 million individuals who identify as transgender or gender diverse in our nation.

NASP affirms our long-standing position on necessary policies and practices to support the safety and well-being of all students, including those who are transgender and gender diverse. We believe that the civil rights of transgender students are protected as part of U.S. public schools’ obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This includes respecting a person’s right to express gender identity, and the right to modify gender expression when necessary, and to have their gender identify affirmed and acknowledged. Our position is consistent with all major medical, mental health, and education organizations.

NASP has developed resources for school psychologists, other school leaders, and public officials to aid them in developing and implementing policies and practices that respect the rights of transgender and gender diverse students. Resources to help in this effort are available below.

Policy Documents

• Position Statement: Safe Schools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students
• Position Statement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
• Joint NASP/APA Resolution on Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity in Children and Adolescents in Schools
• NASP's Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Professional Development Resources

• Podcast: Helping Transgender Students Succeed at School and at Home
• Webinar: Creating an Inclusive School Environment for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students: Tools for Leading Change

Publications and Research

• FAQ: Gender Inclusive Schools: Policy, Law, and Practice
• Dot Brief: Safe and Supportive Schools for LGBTQ Students
• Communiqué Article: Safe School Environments for Transgender Students
• Communiqué Article: Keeping Up With Transgender Youth
• Principal Leadership Article: Transgender Youth
• Communiqué Article: Gender and School Psychology: Let’s Talk About Gender
• School Psychology Forum Article: Therapeutic Work With Gender-Variant Children: What Schools Psychologists Need to Know
• School Psychology Forum Article: Parents of Youth Who Identify as Transgender: An Exploratory Study

Resources From Allied Organizations

• AAP Statement in Support of Transgender Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
• Montgomery County Public Schools Guidelines Regarding Student Gender Identity Matters
• 2016 U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students
• American Psychological Association Division 16: Promoting Resiliency for Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Students in Schools
• The Trevor Project’s Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention
• PDF: GLSEN Model District Policy on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students