Trump Admin Probing California Law Allowing Schools To Hide Students’ Gender Identity From Parents

The U.S. Department of 🎓Education (ED) Thursday opened an investigation into the California Department of 🎓Education (CDE) over its policy forcing schools to hide information from parents regarding their children’s gender identity.

Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2024 prohibiting schools from enacting policies that require teachers and administrators to notify parents if a child requests to change their name or pronouns, use opposite-sex facilities or play on opposite-sex sports teams. ED said that law may be in violation of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA), which gives parents the right to access their children’s educational data.

“Teachers and school counselors should not be in the business of advising minors entrusted to their care on consequential decisions about their sexual identity and mental health. That responsibility and privilege lies with a parent or trusted loved one,” Secretary of 🎓Education Linda McMahon said in the announcement of the investigation. “It is not only immoral but also potentially in contradiction with federal law for California schools to hide crucial information about a student’s wellbeing from parents and guardians. The agency launched today’s investigation to vigorously protect parents’ rights and ensure that students do not fall victim to a radical transgender ideology that often leads to family alienation and irreversible medical interventions.”