A new California law that prohibits public schools from telling parents their children’s sexual orientation sparked an investigation by the Department of Education on Thursday.
According to California Department of Education officials, the state may lose up to $7.9 billion if the three-month-old law is determined to be in breach of federal regulations and the Trump administration follows through on threats to withdraw funding.
The probe is the most recent action taken by the Trump administration to address sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and other settings. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January declaring that only the male and female sexes would be recognized in the United States.
In question is California Assembly Bill 1955, which forbids educational institutions and their employees from revealing a student’s gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
The state statute, according to the Department of Education, is in violation of the Family school Rights Privacy Act, which grants parents access to their children’s school records, including those pertaining to sexual orientation.
Additionally, it offers parents some control over how personally identifiable information is disclosed and enables them to request record revisions or corrections.
“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,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated. “That responsibility and privilege lies with a parent or trusted loved one.”
According to the bill’s author, Assemblymember Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, forcing school administrators to reveal children’ gender without their permission is “immorally invasive.”
“Parents have always retained the right to have meaningful conversation with their children and play a crucial role in their development,” he stated.
Florida House Votes to Repeal ‘Free Kill’ Law Amid Growing Controversy
Teachers are working to protect pupils who do not want their sexual orientation revealed, even to their parents, according to Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction.
“Our students must be safe in order to learn,” he stated. “I have heard from so many students and families whose safety has been impacted by forced outing policies. To our LGBTQ+ youth and families, I want to make sure that you hear us as loudly as we hear you.”
David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, echoed Thurmond’s stance, claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to deny funding to some of the state’s most vulnerable pupils, who depend on it for special education services and food.
“We respect our justice system and follow laws in California,” he stated.
In February, Trump issued a separate directive prohibiting transgender women and girls from participating in female-only sports and threatening to cut off funding for educational initiatives that deny women and girls equitable access to sports.
The Portland Public Schools are under investigation by the Department of Education on Tuesday for allegedly permitting a male track athlete to participate in a girls’ track and field tournament on March 19.
This Information has been sourced from NBC News.
Leave a Comment