Michael Allison is president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He is principal of a high school in Pennsylvania.

He has written an opinion essay at foxnews.com.

While it was brave of Mr. Allison to take the message to the enemy camp, I would keep the women and children away from any responsive commentary.

The public debate about whether to uphold the rights of transgender students rings hollow to school leaders, who commit to seeing each unique child and creating the school conditions in which each child can succeed. That commitment is not limited just to students who look or behave in ways our culture labels normal. It’s for all kids.

We can’t ignore the research that reveals transgender students are more likely to feel unsafe and be victimized in school. And fear for their safety causes one in three of these students to miss at least one day of school each month. The research links a 90 percent school attendance rate closely to academic success, so more absences means less learning, lower grades, and a smaller chance of success after high school. In short, kids who live in fear don’t learn very well.

In light of these details, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAASP) on May 5 adopted a position in support of the rights of transgender students and requesting the federal government to clarify the law.

Excerpts from that position paper:

Recommendations for Federal Policymakers

Enact legislation to provide a comprehensive federal prohibition of discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

Release and periodically update guidance that strongly affirms the protections transgender students are afforded under Title IX and provide schools with recommendations on best practices to ensure they are not discriminating against transgender youth.

Fully fund Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve school conditions for student learning through school based mental health services, bullying and harassment prevention programs, and schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports.

Extend the Qualified School Construction Bond and Qualified Zone Academy Bond programs to continue their important financial support to build, renovate and modernize schools across America.

Promote policies for student information records that respect transgender students' need for privacy throughout the P-20 education continuum.

Recommendations for State Policymakers

Oppose any attempt to introduce or pass legislation aimed at discriminating against transgender students, including bills aimed at restricting the use of restrooms or locker rooms and participation in sports and other school activities that correspond with a student's gender identity.

Align and adjust records policies to eliminate provisions that prevent school leaders from respecting a student's gender identity on their formal record.

Provide for a sufficient number of school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers to support safe and welcoming school environments, provide school-based interventions, and coordinate mental health and wellness services.

Provide funding for new school construction and maintenance that will help schools update their facilities to include gender neutral restrooms, locker rooms and shower rooms.

There are further recommendations for District policymakers and school leaders.

Whenever you see or hear a politician mention the phrase common sense with regards to transgender kids, this position paper is where the real common sense lies.

As a principal, my greatest fear is our collective failure to maximize the human potential of the students our policies push to the margins.

The president’s guidance seeks to embrace these marginalized students, and I applaud him for that. But our greatest victory will be when stop seeing "those kids" and recognize they are all our kids.