Education Department Probes Schools on Gender Transitions

The department will investigate schools accused of hiding students' gender transitions from parents and partner with the Justice Department on enforcement.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Administration

Education Department Probes Schools on Gender Transitions

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Should schools be required to inform parents if a student changes gender identity?

The Department of Education announced it will double down on efforts to dismantle federal bureaucracy and bolster parental rights, launching investigations into schools allegedly concealing students' gender transitions from parents. The department also partnered with the Department of Justice to initiate enforcement actions against two school districts accused of violating FERPA.

Why it matters

The Department of Education is aiming to reinforce federal protections as it works to fulfill President Donald Trump's key campaign commitments. Federal officials have warned districts that concealing information from parents about a child's gender transition could lead to withholding of federal funds.

The department opened investigations into schools allegedly hiding students' gender transitions and partnered with the Justice Department on enforcement against two districts accused of FERPA violations. The findings and any resulting funding decisions have not yet been announced.

The players

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency responsible for overseeing public education policy and enforcing federal education laws, including FERPA.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal department that enforces federal law and partnered with the Education Department on enforcement actions against school districts.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, whose campaign commitments the Education Department is working to fulfill.

The details

The department will open investigations based on credible reports that schools are concealing information from parents regarding a child's gender transition. The Department will also issue two 'Returning Education to the States' waivers as part of its broader push to shift authority away from the federal government.

July: The Trump administration expanded its gender-identity policy campaign in public elementary and secondary schools.
National Parents Day: The Department of Education and the Department of Justice initiated enforcement actions against two school districts.

Legal Context

The enforcement actions build on FERPA, the federal law that grants parents rights over their children's education records. The department's current push applies those parental-rights protections to school decisions about students' gender transitions.

Parents may see changes in how their school districts communicate about students' gender identity. Districts that conceal such information risk losing federal funding, which could affect school budgets and programs.

The takeaway

Parents should review their school district's policies on communicating with families about student identity and records. Understanding FERPA rights can help parents know what information schools are required to share.