By Bigad Shaban, Robert Campos, Mark Villarreal and and Tony Rutanooshoodech
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By Bigad Shaban, Robert Campos, Mark Villarreal and and Tony Rutanooshoodech
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The number of children who openly identify as transgender is expected to rise, in part, because of new medical guidelines that allow children to begin physically transforming their bodies at younger ages.
So are schools prepared?
The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit spent two years collecting data and reviewing policies from the largest school districts across Northern California to find out how educators are adapting to a changing student body.
A two-year NBC Bay Area investigation exposed a serious lack of teacher training regarding transgender issues. The reporting led to a major reform effort that resulted in new policies at 61 schools impacting nearly 60,000 students.
Jack was born 'Sophia,' but began identifying as a boy at 11 years old. In an effort to halt the effects of female puberty, Jack received a medical implant in his left arm, known as a 'puberty blocker,' which pauses puberty by blocking hormones.
The investigation revealed a serious lack of teacher training regarding transgender children.
Following the series of NBC Bay Area reports, educators enacted major policy changes and California lawmakers passed legislation to require continuing gender education for middle and high school teachers throughout the state.
While the governor ultimately vetoed the plan, some of the area's largest school districts still opted to require new gender education for their teachers and credited the NBC Bay Area investigation for leading to the new training protocols and procedures.
Ultimately, the reform effort spread to 61 schools, impacting roughly 60,000 students across the Bay Area.
Maya, born 'Brody,' began identifying as a girl at four years old and legally changed her name at seven.
Cal, who identifies as a mix of male and female, advocated for special training relating to gender issues for educators and school officials in hopes of creating a more welcome space for transgender students.
Watch the Four-Part Special Investigation:
The number of children who openly identify as transgender is expected to rise, in part, because of new medical guidelines that allow children to begin physically transforming their bodies at younger ages. The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit, which was the first to break news of the guidelines, uncovered a serious lack of gender education amongst teachers, despite the growing...
A first-of-its-kind study aims to shed light of the long-term well being of transgender children by tracking 300 kids from the U.S. and Canada over 20 years. Bigad Shaban reports in part two of a four-part special that originally aired on Dec. 29, 2018.
Cal, a transgender student, helped inspire new teacher training at a Bay Area school district after advocating for additional support. Bigad Shaban reports in part three of a four-part special that originally aired on Dec. 29, 2018.
A two-year NBC Bay Area investigation exposes a lack of teacher training on transgender issues, resulting in major policy changes and reforms at 61 schools impacting roughly 60,000 students. Bigad Shaban reports in part four of a four-part special that originally aired on Dec. 29, 2018.
