Some Schools Won’t Tell Parents When Their Kids Express Gender Confusion. Experts Say That’s Illegal., The Washington Free Beacon, Josh Christenson
In an article by Josh Christenson for The Washington Free Beacon, concerns are raised about public schools nationwide allowing students to assume different pronouns, access bathrooms aligning with their gender identity, and change their names without informing parents. Legal experts argue that such practices may violate federal law.
Secret Policies in Public Schools Raise Legal Alarms
Across the country, public schools are adopting policies that allow students to socially transition—including changing names, pronouns, and facility usage—without parental notification. Districts like Fairfax County (VA) and Montgomery County (MD) explicitly instruct staff not to disclose these changes to parents, citing concerns for student safety in unsupportive homes.
Legal Experts Cite Violations of Federal and Constitutional Rights
Vernadette Broyles, President of the Child & Parental Rights Campaign (CPRC), warns that these policies likely violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects parents’ right to privacy. “Privacy rights are held by the parents for the child, not by the child against their parents,” Broyles explains. The U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment also affirms the central role of parents in guiding their children’s upbringing.
Lawsuits and Pushback Against School Secrecy
Lawsuits are mounting. Organizations like Parents Defending Education are challenging school districts for deliberately hiding students’ gender identity changes. Some schools are accused of keeping unofficial files to avoid parental records requests. The pattern of secrecy reflects a growing national divide over the limits of parental rights versus school authority.
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Source: Christenson, Josh. “Some Schools Won’t Tell Parents When Their Kids Express Gender Confusion. Experts Say That’s Illegal.” Washington Free Beacon, 11 Aug. 2022, freebeacon.com/campus/some-schools-wont-tell-parents-when-their-kids-express-gender-confusion-experts-say-thats-illegal.
Photo: Getty Images, as published by The Washington Free Beacon
