DOJ Investigates Violations of Parental Rights in School Districts

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating various school districts for alleged violations of federal parental rights laws. This follows a lawsuit filed against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon revealed to Fox News Digital. This case marks the first of many such actions.

On Tuesday, the DOJ accused KCKPS of breaching the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The district allegedly supported ‘secret gender transitions’ for students without parental consent.

“No, we’re not waiting. What we do is we ask for documents, we investigate, and then we try to resolve cases with school districts,” Dhillon stated. “And if we cannot, then we file lawsuits. And so there are many other lawsuits contemplated here and other investigations that are ongoing.”

The lawsuit targets district guidance for transgender and gender non-conforming students, alleging it has existed in various forms since 2017. Under this guidance, students could exclude their parents from planning meetings and keep their gender status private. These plans could affect names, pronouns, school records, and accommodations.

Dhillon firmly rejected KCKPS’s claim of compliance with federal law. She pointed to the district’s ‘secret gender transition plans’ as evidence of non-compliance.

KCKPS, however, disputed the allegations in their response, maintaining their adherence to FERPA and PPRA. The district plans to address the lawsuit through federal court proceedings.

The lawsuit argues that the district’s actions prevent parents from accessing and challenging educational records, in violation of FERPA. It also asserts the district breached PPRA by allowing student participation in sensitive meetings without parental consent.

A Department of Education FERPA investigation into KCKPS began in August. The federal government informed KCKPS of its violations, stating the district failed to comply voluntarily.

The DOJ is committed to ending these practices and ensuring compliance with federal laws. They seek a court order to stop KCKPS’s policies that infringe upon FERPA or PPRA.

“I want there to be a very clear message to every school district in the United States,” Dhillon emphasized. “They are on notice that if they violate FERPA and PPRA, the United State’s Department of Justice stands ready to protect the rights of parents and the rights to pupils.