Trump administration targets Los Angeles schools over policies on student gender identity and parental access

The Trump administration is taking enforcement action against the Los Angeles Unified School District over policies governing what information schools share with parents about a student’s gender identity.

The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice argue that some LAUSD policies may improperly prevent parents from accessing information about their children that is protected under federal parental-rights laws.

LAUSD guidance says students may use a name and pronouns matching their gender identity at school without parental permission. It also advises staff who are unsure how a student wishes to be identified in communications with home to ask the student privately.

Federal officials contend that policies withholding certain education records from parents can violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, which gives parents rights to inspect their children’s education records.

The administration has warned that continued violations of federal parental-rights laws can put federal education funding at risk.

Los Angeles Unified has said its gender-identity policies are intended to protect students from discrimination, harassment and bullying and to comply with California law.

The dispute is part of a broader national conflict over parental rights, student privacy and transgender policies in public schools.

The federal government has pursued similar actions against school districts in several states during 2026.