DOJ Investigates School Districts Over Parental Rights Violations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating multiple school districts and considering additional legal actions for alleged breaches of federal parental rights laws, according to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. The DOJ recently filed a landmark lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), marking the first in a series of anticipated cases.

On Tuesday, the DOJ accused KCKPS of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) through district policies enabling “secret gender transitions” for students without parental knowledge. Dhillon clarified the DOJ’s approach by stating, “No, we’re not waiting. We ask for documents, investigate, and aim to resolve with school districts before filing lawsuits. Many lawsuits and investigations are underway.” She did not disclose the districts currently under investigation.

House Committee probes Chicago Public Schools over hiding ‘gender affirmation’ from parents.

Dhillon emphasized the importance of the KCKPS lawsuit, indicating that it serves as a precedent for further actions. The lawsuit focuses on district guidance related to transgender and gender non-conforming students, active since 2017. According to the DOJ, this guidance allowed students to exclude parents from crucial school meetings and decisions regarding their identity, creating comprehensive plans covering names, pronouns, and other accommodations.

When responding to KCKPS’ assertion of compliance with federal law, Dhillon refuted their stance, highlighting that “secret gender transition plans” concealed critical information from parents.

KCKPS, in a news release, denied the allegations, asserting full compliance with FERPA and PPRA. The district stated its intention to address the claims through federal court proceedings and refrained from additional comments during ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit also claims the written student plans constitute education records under FERPA. Excluding parents allegedly obstructs their ability to inspect and challenge these records. Additionally, the DOJ contends that the district infringes PPRA by allowing student involvement in discussions that expose sensitive information without parental consent.

In August 2025, the Department of Education initiated a FERPA investigation into KCKPS. On August 12, the district was informed that its policies violated FERPA and PPRA. Ultimately, the DOJ determined non-compliance from KCKPS, prompting legal action.

The DOJ seeks a federal court ruling to declare the district’s practices unlawful, preventing the enforcement of policies that infringe FERPA or PPRA.

Dhillon stated the DOJ’s commitment to upholding parental rights, expressing a clear warning to all U.S. school districts: comply with FERPA and PPRA, or face DOJ intervention.

The United States Department of Justice stands ready to protect the rights of parents and the rights to pupils to privacy, dignity, and parental rights.

For further inquiries, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas directed to the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs.