According to an official press release, the U.S. Department of Education has found that four Kansas school districts violated federal laws related to student privacy and sex-based protections.The department said its Student Privacy Policy Office and Office for Civil Rights concluded that Kansas City, Kansas Public School District, Olathe Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District, and Topeka Public Schools failed to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Title IX.
Consequences on student records and parent access
According to the press release, the Office of Student Privacy Policy found that district policies have the potential to prevent parents from accessing information related to their child’s “gender transition.”The department said the districts did not provide sufficient documentation to justify limiting parents’ access to such records. It said the policies allowed schools to withhold information about students using different names or pronouns, including cases where different names may appear on official documents such as diplomas.Such practices may violate parents’ rights under FERPA to access their children’s education records, the press release said.
Title IX violations related to facilities and sports
The Office for Civil Rights found that several districts violated Title IX through policies related to access to school facilities.According to the press release:
- Kansas City, Kansas Public School District and Topeka Public Schools allow male students to use women’s restrooms, locker rooms, and participate in single-sex athletics based on gender identity.
- Olathe Public Schools and the Shawnee Mission School District had similar policies for restrooms and changing facilities.
The department also said Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools did not provide information requested during the investigation, which it called a separate violation of federal law.Three districts acknowledged that male students were allowed to use female facilities based on gender identity, the press release said.
Suggested corrective actions
The department has issued proposed resolution agreements to all four districts.According to the press release, these include:
- Banning participation in athletics based on gender rather than gender identity
- Ensuring access to toilets, locker rooms, and similar facilities is based on gender.
- Making student-related records, including “sexual cooperation plans,” accessible to parents and guardians
Failure to reach an agreement could lead to enforcement action, including possible termination of federal funding, the department said.
Statement by the Department
In a statement regarding the press release, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Ritchie said the policies “violate federal law” and raise concerns about student safety and parental rights.
Background to the investigation
According to the press release, the investigation was launched in August 2025 following complaints filed by the Defense of Freedom Institute.The department also cited a letter from Chris Kobach to Education Secretary Linda McMahon that raised concerns about possible violations.The press release added that earlier guidance issued in March 2025 addressed non-disclosure of student gender information to parents under FERPA.
Legal framework
FERPA gives parents the right to access and correct their children’s education records and limits the disclosure of such information.Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs receiving federal funding.Any violation of the law could result in the loss of federal funding following administrative or judicial action, the department said.
