Update: 6/28/15 11:28 p.m.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has sent a letter to Acting State Education Commissioner Dr. Elisabeth Berlin regarding the Department’s reported failure to protect transgender and gender non-conforming students from harassment and violence.
In his letter, Cuomo demands that the State Education Department take immediate steps to address failures as outlined by a recent report from the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Lauren Frederico, author of the report, said the rights of transgendered and gender non-conforming students are "largely misunderstood" by teachers and administrators.
Cuomo also called for a review of the Department's compliance with the Dignity for All Students Act to be published within three weeks.
State Education Department Spokesman Dennis Tompkins said the department recognizes "the urgency of the situation" and is working with the Board of Regents, school districts, and advocacy groups to develop guidelines before the start of the next school year.
Tompkins said the Board of Regents' request for funding for districts to comply with DASA was not included in the state budget.
