The U.S. Department of Justice has informed Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools that the district may be violating federal student privacy requirements by restricting parents’ access to certain education records, including information tied to a student’s gender identity. KMBC reports the department is also seeking changes in how the district handles details such as preferred name, pronouns, and sexual orientation.
In a letter sent Tuesday, federal civil rights officials and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Kansas gave the district 14 days to comply or face the possibility of a federal lawsuit. The request includes stopping any policy that limits parent access to records in those categories, reviewing existing practices to ensure compliance, and taking steps such as reminding employees that parents must be able to access their children’s education records.
The DOJ letter also asks the district to provide all versions of a “Transgender Guideline” since 2017 and to confirm it has followed required rules. When KMBC reached out for comment, a district spokesperson declined to comment.