Feds investigate two New Mexico districts’ gender policies

The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into Albuquerque and Santa Fe public schools to determine whether policies involving students’ gender identity and parents’ access to related information violate federal student-privacy laws. The department alleges that Albuquerque staff were restricted from sharing gender-identity information with parents, and that a Santa Fe form asked students what names and pronouns they wanted used while assuring them the information would be kept from parents. These are allegations under investigation, not findings of legal violations; the districts could face consequences including loss of federal funding if violations are found. Albuquerque Public Schools said its policies comply with FERPA and that it will respond through the appropriate channels. Supporters of the policies say allowing students to socially transition without parental notification can protect those in unsafe home situations, while the Trump administration says parents should be informed and has made parental rights a priority.