US Department of Education investigates three California school districts

The US Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office has launched investigations into the North Monterey County, Palo Alto, and San Francisco unified school districts. The probe follows allegations that students were surveyed on sensitive topics without parental knowledge or consent.

According to complaints, the questionnaires reportedly asked students to disclose personal information regarding their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, family finances, and immigration status. The department is investigating whether these actions violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, a federal law requiring schools to notify parents and obtain written consent before surveying students on specific protected topics.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that parents have the right to opt their children out of such surveys, noting that the department had specific reasons for initiating these investigations in California.