The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into the California Department of Education’s policy that keeps parents in the dark about their children’s gender identity choices at school.
Under a law signed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024, schools are prohibited from informing parents if their child decides to change their name or pronouns, or chooses to use facilities and participate in sports teams that don’t align with their biological sex.
The federal investigation is examining whether this state law conflicts with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which ensures parental access to children’s educational records.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the importance of parental involvement in significant decisions affecting minors, stating, “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.”
McMahon argued that withholding such information from parents could be both unethical and illegal. The investigation aims to protect parental rights and prevent students from being influenced by what she described as a radical transgender ideology.
In response to inquiries, the Department of Education directed reporters to its official press release. California risks losing federal funding if found in violation of federal law, echoing similar actions taken by the Trump administration.
For instance, Maine faced funding cuts when its Democratic governor refused to adhere to Trump’s policies on gender in sports, highlighting the federal government’s willingness to enforce compliance.
California’s educational system received about $8 billion in federal funding for K-12 education for the 2024-25 school year, which constitutes roughly 6% of the state’s overall lower education budget.
The California education code allows students to join sports teams that align with their gender identity, and the state’s Civil Rights Act includes gender identity within its definition of sex. These policies have sparked debate about the balance between inclusivity and fairness in sports.
In 2022, Newsom signed a bill positioning California as a sanctuary for transgender-identifying youth, drawing families seeking gender-affirming medical procedures from states with stricter laws.
However, Newsom recently expressed reservations about the fairness of allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, admitting that Democrats might be out of touch on this issue. Despite this, he criticized Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for politicizing transgender athlete participation.
The California Department of Education did not immediately comment on the investigation. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has consistently opposed gender ideology in education, advocating for policies that recognize only two genders and banning federal funds from supporting gender transition procedures for minors.
Trump has also prohibited men from participating in women’s sports, aligning with conservative values of fairness and traditional gender roles.
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As the investigation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing national debate over parental rights and educational policies related to gender identity. The outcome could have significant implications for California’s education system and its alignment with federal standards. Both sides of the political spectrum remain deeply divided on how best to address these sensitive and complex issues.
Newsom can’t even make California look good and he thinks the west coast cesspool is going to get him elected as president. President of what the cesspool country of Newsom. He destroyed California we don’t need him destroying America also. He’s just another democrat loser who has no clue how to be a leader but he’s great at wasting taxpayers money and accomplishing nothing just like Biden and Harris and democrats administration. He’s finished as a leader period.