Recently, Sarasota County Schools released a survey (which students can access through MySCS under the "Productivity" tab) regarding high school student engagement. However, this survey begins with a very offensive question: the survey asks "I am a..." and only provides the options "Boy" or "Girl." This question disregards the gender identities of those who are nonbinary or identify with other genders. Furthermore, this question disregards students' true gender identities and forces them to make a choice that strips them of their authenticity. This question discriminates against those who do not identify as a "male" or "female" and furthers the discrimination and bigotry that already runs rampant in our school district. 

Moreover, this question puts the validity/accuracy of the results of the survey into question, as a survey must be "mutually exclusive" (meaning that that if one thing happens some other thing cannot happen) and "exhaustive" (meaning that when a certain number of things happen together, nothing more can happen.) This survey cannot properly examine the connection between students' engagement and their gender/race if they  provide options that excludes certain students and precludes them from properly representing their true identity. 

Therefore, we are urging the school board to revise this discriminatory and disrespectful question and provide a "Nonbinary"/"Other"/"Prefer not to Say" option.