A new California law that prohibits public schools from telling parents their children’s sexual orientation sparked an investigation by the Department of Education on Thursday.
According to the department, the new law forbids school staff from revealing a child’s sexual orientation, which is against federal law.
According to California Department of Education officials, the state could lose up to $7.9 billion if the three-month-old law is found to be in violation of federal regulations and the Trump administration follows through on threats to withhold funding.
The probe is the most recent action taken by the Trump administration to address sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and other settings. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January declaring that only the male and female sexes would be recognized in the United States.
In question is California Assembly Bill 1955, which forbids educational institutions and their employees from revealing a student’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
The state law, according to the Department of Education, is in violation of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act, which grants parents access to their children’s educational records, including those pertaining to sexual orientation.
Additionally, it gives parents some control over how personally identifiable information is disclosed and enables them to request record amendments or corrections.
In a statement, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “Teachers and school counselors should not be in the business of advising minors entrusted to their care on consequential decisions about their sexual identity and mental health.” “That parental authority and privilege belong to a parent or other trusted loved one.”
According to the bill’s author, Assemblymember Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, forcing school administrators to reveal students’ gender without their permission is “immorally invasive.”
In a statement, he said, “Parents have always had the right to have meaningful conversations with their children and play a crucial role in their development.”
Teachers are working to protect students who do not want their sexual orientation revealed, even to their parents, according to Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction.
In a statement, he stated, “Our students need to be safe in order to learn”.” Many families and students have told me how forced outing policies have affected their safety. I want to make sure that our LGBTQ+ youth and families are heard just as loudly as we are.
David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, echoed Thurmond’s stance, claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to deny funding to some of the state’s most vulnerable students, who depend on it for special education services and food.
“We adhere to California laws and respect our justice system,” he stated.
In a separate order signed in February, Trump threatened to withhold funding from educational initiatives that deny women and girls equitable access to athletic opportunities and prohibited transgender women and girls from participating in female-only sports.
The Portland Public Schools were under investigation by the Department of Education on Tuesday for allegedly permitting a male track athlete to participate in a girls’ track and field competition on March 19.
