SACROMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Trump administration began an investigation Thursday with the California Department of Education, opening an investigation into a law that says that districts cannot notify parents to teachers and staff if students change gender identity at schools.
The U.S. Department of Education said the policy could violate the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, a law that allows parents to access their children’s records.
“Not only is it immoral, it can also contradict federal laws in California schools, allowing you to hide important information about student well-being from parents and parents,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
The Democratic government’s office of Gavin Newsom defended the law, saying parents still have the right to access their children’s education records.
“If the U.S. Department of Education still had staff, this would be a simple investigation. It’s all we need to read the laws the governor signed,” Newsom spokesman Elana Ross said in a statement, referring to Trump’s mention. Plans to demolish the agency.
Now, the Department of Education says it can take away funds if it determines that California School Identity Act violates federal rules.
What does the law do?
The district will prohibit adoption or enforcement of rules that require staff to disclose information about a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to others without the consent of the child, unless otherwise required by the law. This means that if students want to use different pronouns, the school cannot force teachers to tell their students’ parents. It does not prohibit teachers or school staff from choosing to share that information with parents.
Newsom signed the law last year and created California The first state to establish such a policy. It came into effect on January 1st.
The law also requires the state education department to develop resources to support LGBTQ+ students and their families.
Why did it pass?
Some states have a nationwide battle for trans rights ongoing Implements a prohibition of care that maintains gender, Excluding trans athletes It requires that schools share student gender identities with parents from sports for girls and women, and without the consent of the students.
Republican Congressman Bill Essay introduced a bill in 2023 that required school employees to notify their parents within three days of noticing changes in child pronouns.
As lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled assembly blocked the bill from being heard, the school committee began to take up the issue and make their own notifications of what is called parental notice policy. Nation I’ve begun a legal battle Together with Chino Valley Unified School District, one of the first districts to establish such rules, it argues that the policy violates student rights and endangers the well-being of transgender children.
Later the district The rules have been updated Remove any gender identification references and require staff to widely notify parents of any requests for the child to make changes to the record.
Democrat Chris Ward, chairman of the legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, introduced the bill in large part in response to school district policies. I handed the party line.
What do supporters say?
The goal is to protect students’ privacy, with some of them living in households that do not accept them and are not prepared to tell their parents, supporters say. They argue that teachers would not need to participate in family discussions about student gender identity.
“Requiring government school officials to expose them without their consent is in violation of the US Constitution,” he said in a statement, calling such policies “immoral and invasive.”
David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, said the law helps ensure students have a safe and supportive learning environment.
What do you say about your opponent?
Law critics say parents should be able to know if children change gender identification at school. Chino Valley unified sued the state They argue that it violated parents’ rights under the US Constitution.
“We’re a member of the Roseville School District board of directors,” said Jonathan Zakress.
The Trump administration said children are at risk of falling victim to “radical transgender ideology” and medical intervention.
Are other California policies at risk?
Trump Set the tone His first few days took office on his position on issues that affect transgender and non-binary people. He has signed an executive order to limit gender-maintaining care for minors and trans athletes to participate in women’s sports.
Newsom also highlights his position on trans rights after him I said on his podcast The participation of trans athletes in girl sports was unfair. California has state laws, signed in 2013 by the then GOV. Jerry Brown will allow her to participate in sports teams of gender that match her gender identity, regardless of the gender listed on the student’s records. The Republican bill is trying to reverse that. Newsom has not taken any position.
The Trump administration also sent a letter Thursday to the state requesting that the state submit curriculum and materials from a sexual health education program that receives federal funds. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will consider whether the materials are “medically accurate” and “age-appropriate,” the letter said.
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Austin is a legional member of the Associated Press/Report’s American State University News Initiative. American Report It is a non-profit, national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms and reports on secret issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophiedanna
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