The school, as part of the transition, is making gender-neutral restrooms available. Teachers will address the student by her female name, and information on gender identity is being made available to parents who seek it.

"As a public school system," says Douglas County Schools' Whei Wong, "our calling is to educate all kids no matter where they come from, what their background is; beliefs, values, it doesn't matter."

"Our experience is probably a little different than some families," says Pearson, "in that we had a daughter who pretty much lived like a boy growing up, because girls are allowed a lot of freedom of expression as far as gender, and the way they dress, and how they wear their hair and everything."

"It was kind of a relief to me to get that information,"

she continues, "because I knew that my child was struggling, I knew that my child was depressed. I knew that he was pretty much disappearing before my eyes as a person; emotionally disappearing."

"And, so, when he told me," Pearson goes on, "I felt relief, because I felt if I knew what we were dealing with, then maybe there was something I could do to help him.

"We just want kids to be safe and happy, and be able to get an education."

The entire exchange is available to view below. It was broadcast on CNN's Uncovering America on February 12, 2008.