Navigating Parental Rights - A Study of Virginia’s Model Policies on Transgender Student Treatment

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca

This study examines the discourse on parental rights in U.S. public schools, using Virginia as the focal case. Qualitative content analysis compares two sets of Virginia model policies on the treatment of transgender students: one adopted under a Democratic governor and another implemented after the election of a Republican candidate who foregrounded parental rights. Five themes emerge, including reliance on expert opinions, policy information variation, transgender inclusion, focus imbalance between students and parents, and adherence to legal intent.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction and Research Approach

Qualitative content analysis of model policies

Themes identified and implications for education policy

| education policy analysis archives
A peer-reviewed, independent, open access, multilingual journal | | | --- | --- | | Arizona State University | | | Volume 31 Number 113 October 10, 2023 ISSN 1068-2341 | | Navigating Parental Rights: A Study of Virginia’s Model Policies on Transgender Student Treatment Dustin Hornbeck The University of Memphis United States Citation: Hornbeck, D. (2023). Navigating parental rights: A study of Virginia’s model policies on transgender student treatment. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 31(113) . [https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.31.8166](https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.31.8166) Abstract: In this study, I explore the discourse surrounding parental rights in U.S. public schools, with Virginia as a focal point. Analyzing two sets of model policies regarding the treatment of transgender students—one established under a Democratic governor and another implemented following the election of a Republican candidate championing parental rights—this research employs qualitative content analysis to gain insight into the contemporary parental rights movement in educational settings. Five key themes emerged: 1. Reliance on expert opinions; 2. Variation in depth and breadth of information within policies; 3. Transgender student inclusion in policies; 4. Student and parent focus imbalance; and 5. Adherence to legal intent. The findings indicate a shift in emphasis from addressing gender identity concerns to prioritizing parental rights, with ramifications for the broader political landscape. This research enriches the ongoing dialogue on the role of parents in education and the consequences of the conservative parental rights movement for educational policy. Keywords: transgender students; parental rights; queer; LGBTQ; politics of education; parents; gender diversity; gender Navegando por los derechos de los padres y las madres: Un estudio de las políticas modelo de Virginia sobre el tratamiento de estudiantes transgénero Resumen: En este estudio, exploro el discurso en torno a los derechos de los padres y las madres en las escuelas públicas de Estados Unidos, con Virginia como punto focal. Al analizar dos conjuntos de políticas modelo con respecto al tratamiento de los estudiantes transgénero (una establecida bajo un gobernador demócrata y otra implementada luego de la elecció n de un candidato republicano que defiende los derechos de los padres y las madres), esta investigaciónemplea un análisis de contenido cualitativo para comprender mejor el movimiento contemporáneo por los derechos de los padres y las madres en la educación. ajustes. Surgieron cinco temas clave: 1. Dependencia de opiniones de expertos; 2. Variación en profundidad yamplitud de la información dentro de las políticas; 3. Inclusión de estudiantes transgénero en las políticas; 4. Desequilibrio en el enfoque entre estudiantes , padres y madres; y 5. Adhesión ala intención legal. Los hallazgos indican un cambio en el énfasis de abordar las preocupaciones de identidad de género a priorizar los derechos de los padres y las madres, con ramificaciones para el panorama político más amplio. Esta investigación enriquece el diálogo en curso sobre el papel de los padres y las madres en la educación y las consecuencias del movimiento conservador por los derechos de los padres y las madres para la política educativa. Palabras-clave: estudiantes transgéneros; derechos de los padres y las madres; queer; LGBTQ; política de la educación; padres y madres; diversidad de género; género Navegando pelos direitos dos pais e das mães: Um estudo das políticas modelo da Virgínia sobre o tratamento de estudantes transgêneros Resumo: Neste estúdio, exploramos o discurso em torno dos direitos dos padres e das mães nas escolas públicas dos Estados Unidos, com Virgínia como ponto focal. Ao analisar os conjuntos de políticas modelo a respeito do tratamento dos estudantes transgêneros (umestabelecido sob um governador democrata e outro revolu

FAQs

What is the main focus of the study?

The study analyzes how parental rights are discussed in U.S. public schools, with Virginia’s model policies on transgender student treatment as the central case.

How does the research compare the policies?

It uses qualitative content analysis to compare two sets of Virginia model policies: those linked to a Democratic governor and those adopted after a Republican election.

What key themes does the study find?

The study identifies five themes: reliance on expert opinions, variation in policy information depth and breadth, transgender student inclusion, imbalance between student and parent focus, and adherence to legal intent.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca