Education Policy and Free Speech

The Chesapeake School Board in Virginia voted 7–2 at its Dec. 15 meeting to amend its professional conduct policy so employees cannot compel students or colleagues to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex and must refrain from providing students with preferred pronouns or titles that do not correspond to sex. Board chair Angela Swygert said the change is aimed at preventing compelled speech on a 'controversial and complex issue' that should be handled by families, while emphasizing that staff may still voluntarily use alternative pronouns and that student situations will continue to be handled case by case with parents.