Kansas City School District Denies FERPA Violations Over Transgender Student Records
The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools (KCKPS) district has responded to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education, denying allegations that its policies violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding transgender student records and…
Kansas City, MO, August 13, 2026 —
The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools (KCKPS) district has formally responded to inquiries from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Education, refuting allegations that its policies contravene the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The core of the dispute centers on the district’s handling of transgender student records and parental access to those records.
In its response, KCKPS stated that it has never implemented policies prohibiting parental access to student records specifically because a student identifies as transgender. The district is actively seeking further clarification and specific details from the DOJ regarding any alleged FERPA violations. This request for specifics aims to understand the basis of the federal agencies’ concerns and to address them directly.
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It grants parents certain rights with respect to their child’s education records, and these rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. The law outlines conditions under which information from education records may be disclosed to parents without the student’s consent.
The district’s assertion suggests that any perceived policy or practice has not, in its view, violated federal privacy regulations. KCKPS maintains its commitment to compliance with FERPA while also addressing the needs and privacy considerations of all students. The district’s request for more detailed information from the DOJ indicates a desire for a transparent and fact-based resolution to the matter.
The full scope of the DOJ’s allegations and the specific nature of the FERPA concerns have not been fully detailed in the district’s public statements. KCKPS is awaiting further information from the federal departments to provide a more comprehensive response or to take additional actions as necessary.
Story summarized from the original created by Sarah Motter on www.kctv5.com, see more information here.
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