DOJ sues Anne Arundel County schools over policies that hide gender‑identity info from parents
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court in Maryland against Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). The complaint says the district’s policies require staff to gather and record students’ gender‑identity information without informing parents, which the government says breaches federal privacy laws.
Alleged violations of federal education privacy laws
The DOJ claims AACPS policies direct employees to solicit gender‑related data from students, document a “social transition” in education records, and keep that information from parents. The complaint cites violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which give parents the right to access their children’s education records and to prevent disclosure of sensitive data without consent.
- 1Request access to your child’s education records under FERPA
- 2Ask the school to correct or delete any inaccurate gender‑related data
- 3Monitor school board meetings for policy changes
- 4Consult an attorney if the school denies access or refuses corrections
Source: Courthouse News Service
Specific example cited by the government
The complaint points to a case involving a female student whose parents were told they needed an appointment or a subpoena to view certain records. The district allegedly called the student by a name that did not match her legal name or sex and withheld the information from her parents, which the DOJ says breaches FERPA’s access provisions.
What this means for parents and students
If the court orders relief, AACPS would have to stop policies that hide gender‑identity information and would need to give parents the chance to correct or delete any inaccurate data. Parents of students in the district should review any education records they can obtain and be prepared to request access or corrections under FERPA. No specific deadline is mentioned in the filing.
School board response
Gloria Dent, president of the Anne Arundel County school board, said the board will discuss the lawsuit at its next meeting and maintains that its policies comply with FERPA and PPRA.
Anyone who feels their parental rights have been infringed may want to consult an attorney experienced in education law to assess options and ensure compliance with federal record‑access rules.
What this means: our conclusions
- What to watchPotential change to school privacy practices
If the court rules for the DOJ, schools may have to revise how they handle gender‑related information, giving parents more oversight.
- Good newsParents gain stronger record‑access rights
A favorable ruling could reinforce parents’ ability to view and correct education records under FERPA.
- RiskRisk of increased litigation for districts
Districts that maintain similar policies may face additional lawsuits, prompting broader policy reviews.
- What to watchWatch for district’s policy response
The school board’s upcoming meeting could reveal whether AACPS will amend its policies voluntarily.
- What to doConsider consulting an education‑law attorney
Parents who suspect violations should seek legal advice to protect their rights and ensure proper record access.
This article is general information based on Courthouse News Service and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 28, 2026.
Source: Courthouse News Service
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