The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office has launched a formal investigation into Burlington Public Schools, alleging the district violated parents’ rights by administering a sensitive student survey without proper consent.
The controversy centers around the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which included graphic questions related to drug and alcohol use, sexual behavior, and gender identity, according to Boston 25 News.
According to documents obtained by the outlet, students were asked a wide range of personal questions, including:
“Which of the following terms best describes your current gender identity?”
“What sex were you assigned at birth, on your original birth certificate?”
“Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?”
“Has anyone done sexual things to you or forced you to do sexual things that you did not want to?”
“Have you ever sent or received sexual messages or nude or semi-nude pictures or videos electronically?”
“During the past month, what flavors were your tobacco products?”
The Department of Education said it received multiple complaints from parents who claimed they had opted their children out of the survey, but their children were still given the questionnaire by school staff.
“The allegations that Burlington violated parents’ rights by administering a survey against parents’ wishes – and particularly one that is graphic, and downright inappropriate in nature – is unconscionable,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Department will investigate this matter thoroughly and continue to resolutely defend parents’ rights.”
In response, Burlington Public Schools Superintendent Eric Conti acknowledged the concerns and said the district will fully cooperate with the investigation.
“Last winter, the District terminated its contract with the company that drafted the survey,” Conti stated. “The School Committee also unanimously voted that no new student surveys will be administered until a new policy is written and approved by the School Committee.”
Conti emphasized that parents were notified prior to April break in 2025 about the situation and the steps being taken. He also admitted the district had made “errors and mistakes” regarding communication and opt-out procedures.
“This is not a new issue, and the District has gone to great lengths to be transparent and forthcoming about the problems, unintentional as they were, with the 2025 YRBS,” Conti said.
The investigation could have wider implications as the federal government examines whether student privacy laws were violated and whether parental rights were disregarded — an issue that continues to fuel nationwide debates over school transparency and parental involvement.
