Paradise Valley Unified School District mandates staff use the preferred pronouns of students; allows students to participate in overnight field trips according to preferred gender identity

Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to the Paradise Valley Unified School District seeking any guidance from the district on transgender issues. The district provided PDE with a document titled “Administrative Guidelines Addressing the Rights of Students Regarding Gender Identity and Expression.” The guidance states that parents “shall” be involved in changes to the student’s gender designation in the student information record. However, the district also mandates that staff use the preferred pronouns of students: “Students should be addressed by school staff by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity and gender expression that is consistently asserted at school.” It does not appear that parents must be notified if a student is being referred to by a different name and/or pronouns at school.

Students are also allowed to participate in sports and overnight field trips that match their preferred gender identity. Students are additionally allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms according to their preferred gender identity.