The U.S. Department of Education is moving toward revoking federal funding from a major Kansas school district for a policy that prevents school staff from telling parents about their children’s gender identity.
The Kansas City Public Schools district faces judicial proceedings and no federal dollars after the Education Department found its guidelines violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA.
The school district’s policy explicitly directs personnel not to reveal information that may disclose a student’s “transgender status or gender nonconforming presentation” to others, including parents.
The Education Department and Justice Department stated Tuesday they will “take appropriate enforcement measures, including applicable judicial proceedings and potential loss of federal funding.”
The school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FERPA generally affords privacy to student education records but includes provisions guaranteeing parents’ access to their minor children’s information.
The district’s policy conflicts with that parental right, according to federal officials.
Earlier this year, the Education Department found four Kansas districts, including Kansas City, had similar alleged violations.
“The Districts had policies that were likely to prevent schools from notifying parents of their child’s so-called ‘gender transition,’ even if the parent requested their child’s records, thereby violating parents’ rights,” the Education Department said in April.
“The Districts’ policies allow schools to conceal from parents whether their children are using different pronouns, going by different names, or even having different names printed on their diplomas.”
Kansas has seen related legislative pushes. A bill aimed at protecting children from transgender surgeries by restricting state funds passed the state Legislature, but Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed it in April 2024.
“This divisive legislation targets a small group of Kansans by placing government mandates on them and dictating to parents how to best raise and care for their children. I do not believe that is a conservative value, and it’s certainly not a Kansas value,” the Democratic governor said at the time.
The Trump administration has been pursuing efforts to curtail transgender policies in education, including restrictions on sports participation. On the same day as the Kansas school district announcement, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld West Virginia and Idaho laws prohibiting boys in girls’ sports. The decision is expected to ripple through other states.
