logo
U.S. Dept. of Education investigating California over gender identity privacy law

U.S. Dept. of Education investigating California over gender identity privacy law

Yahoo28-03-2025

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Department of Education is going after California over gender identity policies in schools.
The agency announced an investigation into California's Department of Education (CDE) Thursday, alleging the state violated the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act, or FERPA, the federal law that protects students' education records and gives parents the right to access and control them.
California's Assembly Bill 1955, which went into effect at the beginning of the year, prevents schools, districts, and similar educational offices from implementing or enforcing policies or rules that require employees to share information about a student's sexual orientation or gender identity and expression with any person, including parents, without the student's consent, with few exceptions.
The federal government said numerous educational districts and agencies across California are possibly violating FERPA "to socially transition children at school while hiding minors' 'gender identity' from parents."
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon says these actions violate FERPA because parents are reportedly not being informed about students' gender identities, which may be discussed during the school day.
Federal officials said they're concerned California's Department of Education is playing a role, either directly or indirectly, in these alleged violations because of the number of local education agencies allegedly violating FERPA.
What they're saying
"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," McMahon said in a statement. "It is not only immoral but also potentially in contradiction with federal law for California schools to hide crucial information about a student's well-being from parents and guardians."
The other side
KTVU reached out to CDE officials about the investigation. While a response has yet to be received, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has previously affirmed continued protections for students based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
"In California, 'all' still means all. While the Trump Education Department announced that they will no longer protect all students from discrimination, California law is unaffected by recent changes to federal policy and continues to provide safeguards against discrimination and harassment based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation," Thurmond said in response to a "Dear Colleague" letter, an open letter sent from a federal official to make statements on bills.
The letter was sent on Jan. 31 by the U.S. Department of Education. Thurmond said the federal government was taking a backward step on protections guaranteed by Title IX, a federal civil rights law that protects against discrimination based on sex.
"While federal guidance devolves, our commitment to safeguarding the rights of all students persists," Thurmond said.
The Source
U.S. Department of Education statement, Assembly Bill 1955, CA Superintendent Tony Thurmond's response to "Dear Colleague" letter

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ayotte nominates Caitlin Davis to be next education commissioner
Ayotte nominates Caitlin Davis to be next education commissioner

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Ayotte nominates Caitlin Davis to be next education commissioner

A 15-year agency staffer is Gov. Kelly Ayotte's nominee to replace Frank Edelblut as the next commissioner of education. Ayotte nominates new education agency chief Caitlin Davis, a 15-year employee at the Department of Education, is Gov. Kelly Ayotte's choice to be the next commissioner of education. If confirmed by the Executive Council, she will replace Frank Edelblut who has served eight years in that post. Caitlin Davis of Concord most recently has served as the director of education analytics and resources in the Department of Education. 'Our state has made incredible strides toward helping every student reach his or her full potential, and today, I am proud to announce Caitlin Davis as my choice to continue this progress as commissioner of education,' Ayotte said in a statement. 'Caitlin will ensure New Hampshire schools remain innovative and forward-thinking, support our fantastic teachers and public schools, and strive for the highest standards of academic achievement. Caitlin's collaborative, data-driven approach will help us continue delivering a best-in-class education for all of New Hampshire's students.' Ayotte said in keeping with state law she will present her pick to the state Board of Education at its next meeting on Thursday. The Executive Council must then confirm the nomination. Last spring, Ayotte announced that she would not be naming Edelblut to a third, four-year term as head of the agency. Former Republican Gov. Chris Sununu made Edelblut one of his first high-profile appointments after Edelblut had run for governor and barely lost to Sununu in the 2016 Republican primary. Edelblut, state board chair endorse the pick Edelblut said Davis has the right combination of leadership skills and personal relationship building that will make her a good commissioner. 'She recently oversaw the successful implementation of a new, statewide student information system, and she was instrumental in the adoption of iPlatform, an online data dashboard that highlights student assessment performance, enrollment, attendance and more,' Edelblut said. 'Caitlin is a respected peer within the state's education field and a pivotal member of our leadership team. We are proud to have this nomination from within our own pool of talented professionals.' While commissioner, Edelblut led the campaign to create Education Freedom Accounts, an education choice option for parents to receive taxpayer funds to send their children to private, religious, alternative public or home school programs. He also promoted career-ready education programs with dual enrollment programs at community colleges and spearheaded a rewrite of the state's academic standards. As someone who home-schooled his own children, Edelbut was often a lightning rod for opposition from the state's education unions and many public school advocates. Edelbut often said his top priority was serving students and not the educational bureaucracy. During her tenure, Davis has overseen the department's Bureau of Assessment and Accountability, Bureau of Education Statistics, Bureau of Educational Opportunities, Bureau of School Finance and Bureau of Federal Compliance. She said the agency's greatest strength is its talented staff and seeks to promote a culture of collaboration, transparency and shared problem-solving. Board of Education Chairman Andrew Cline said Davis was a great choice. 'Caitlin's been a real asset for the department over the years and I'm very pleased that the governor has chosen to put the department in such capable hands,' Cline said. klandrigan@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store