Education Department to Pursue Enforcement Against Kansas City Schools Over Gender Policy

The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that it would pursue enforcement action against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over the district's policy on notifying parents of a student's transgender status. The department determined that the policy violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act by directing staff not to disclose information that may reveal a student's transgender status or gender nonconforming presentation to others, including parents.

The district serves more than 21,000 students. The Education Department stated it is partnering with the Justice Department to pursue enforcement measures that may include judicial proceedings and potential loss of federal funding. It noted that the district has continued to ignore federal parental rights law despite a proposed Resolution Agreement outlining remedies.

Frank Miller, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the Education Department, said the district's efforts represent a serious and deliberate breach of federal law. Miller added that the enforcement partnership will ensure districts honor parents' rights. Fox News reported that the administration has threatened similar action against several other districts nationwide.

Earlier this year the Education Department found violations in four Kansas school districts, including Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. On the same day the Supreme Court ruled that states may bar transgender women and girls from girls' and women's sports, upholding laws in Idaho and West Virginia. The decision does not require other states to adopt such bans.

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at barring transgender women and girls from competing in girls' and women's sports.