California education officials stood firm today against federal pressure to reverse the state's transgender student privacy protections, despite threats to withhold billions in education funding.
The U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into California's new law AB 1955, which prevents schools from mandating that staff notify parents if students identify as transgender. Federal officials claim this may violate parental rights under the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act.
"Our students must be safe in order to learn," declared State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, defending the law. "I have heard from so many students and families whose safety has been impacted by forced outing policies."
The state law, passed in response to several school districts requiring parental notification of students' gender identity, aims to protect transgender students who may be "out" at school but not at home. Research shows LGBTQ+ students face higher rates of harassment and bullying, which can impact attendance and mental health.
California officials maintain the law complies with federal requirements, noting it doesn't prevent staff from discussing students' gender identity with parents - it simply blocks mandatory disclosure policies. Parents retain access to written school records.
The federal investigation puts approximately $10 billion in funding at risk, primarily affecting special education and support for low-income students. This represents less than 10% of California's K-12 education budget.
Some district leaders celebrated the federal intervention. "The hammer is coming down," said Sonja Shaw, president of Chino Valley Unified School District, which previously enacted a parental notification requirement before being blocked by state legal action.
However, LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the federal move. "LGBTQ+ youth and their families deserve to have sensitive conversations on their own terms," said Tony Hoang of Equity California, calling the investigation "shameful."
The standoff highlights ongoing tension between parental rights advocates who demand transparency about students' identity and those prioritizing student privacy and safety. For now, California officials appear ready to defend their position protecting transgender students' right to control disclosure of their identity.