Education Dept Targets Two Districts Over Student Gender Records

Federal funding for public schools now hinges on how districts handle records of students' gender identity. The U.S. Education Department announced Monday that Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland and Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan risk losing that money for policies it says violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The department stated that Anne Arundel classified gender-identity information as confidential medical data that cannot be shared with parents. It described Ann Arbor's policy as directing staff to conceal a child's transgender status from parents. Both practices, the department said, breach FERPA requirements that parents have access to their children's education records. Enforcement could include lawsuits or termination of federal funds. Anne Arundel faces immediate action; Ann Arbor has until August 10 to explain why similar steps should not begin.

Anne Arundel told a local NBC station it first learned of the findings through the public statement and had received no formal notice or supporting documents. The district said it would review any materials once delivered and respond through required channels. Ann Arbor offered no immediate comment.

The actions follow a series of executive orders from President Trump that direct the federal government to recognize only two sexes and to review school policies on gender identity. The Education Department said it is working with the Justice Department on possible next steps. Earlier Trump directives have also frozen or threatened funds over climate programs, campus protests, and diversity initiatives.

No dollar amounts tied to the threatened cuts were released. The department did not detail prior correspondence with either district.