# U.S. federal policy on student gender identity data > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-policy-on-student-gender-identity-data > Updated: 2026-09-02T06:35:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4. The U.S. Department of Education has implemented significant changes regarding the collection and enforcement of data related to student gender identity. In July 2026, the Department announced it would halt the requirement for schools to report on LGBTQ+ student populations in the 2025–26 Civil Rights Data Collection survey. This revision removes questions concerning nonbinary student numbers, the frequency of bullying and harassment, and the existence of district policies addressing these issues. Additionally, the term ‘gender identity’ was removed from the definition of rape and sexual assault, replaced by language stating that ‘all students, regardless of sex, or sexual orientation can be victims of rape.’ Concurrently, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have initiated enforcement actions against school districts in Kansas. Investigations into Topeka Public Schools, Olathe Public Schools, and Shawnee Mission Public Schools focused on policies that withhold student gender identity information from parents. While Topeka Public Schools entered into a Resolution Agreement following findings of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) violations, Olathe and Shawnee Mission have not reached agreements, leaving them subject to potential judicial proceedings and the loss of federal funding. In August and September 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice escalated legal action by filing a lawsuit against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS). The suit alleges the district facilitated gender transitions for minors without parental knowledge or consent, violating FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The complaint claims KCKPS internal guidelines allow students to request ‘gender plans’ while explicitly requesting that parents be excluded. The DOJ has described this as a ‘first-of-its-kind’ legal action intended to vindicate parental rights. KCKPS officials have denied the allegations, maintaining they are in compliance with the law and arguing the guidelines were not formally adopted as official board policy. ## Claims - The DOJ alleges Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools facilitated gender transitions for minors without parental consent. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The DOJ claims the district violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). (corroborated by 10 sources) - The DOJ claims the district violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). (corroborated by 9 sources) - The lawsuit is described as the first of its kind by the DOJ to vindicate parental rights under these specific statutes. (corroborated by 5 sources) - KCKPS officials maintain that the district is in compliance with the law. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The district's guidelines allow students to request that parents be excluded from meetings regarding gender identity. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools sued by DOJ over gender transition policies The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, alleging the district violated federal law by facilitating student gender transitions without parental consent or notification. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/department-of-justice-sues-kansas-city-school-district-over-gender-transition-policies ### 2026-08-31: U.S. Department of Justice sues Kansas school districts over gender identity policies The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over policies that hide student gender transitions from parents, while other Kansas districts face potential loss of federal funds. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-department-of-justice-sues-kansas-school-districts-over-gender-identity-policies ### 2026-08-27: U.S. Education Department targets Kansas school districts over gender identity policies The U.S. Department of Education is taking enforcement action against Kansas school districts for violating parental rights by withholding student gender identity information. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-education-department-targets-kansas-school-districts-over-gender-identity-policies ### 2026-07-31: U.S. Education Department Halts LGBTQ+ Student Data Collection The U.S. Education Department will stop collecting LGBTQ+ student data, dropping nonbinary and bullying questions and removing gender identity from the rape definition in the 2025‑26 civil rights survey. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-education-department-halts-lgbtq-student-data-collection --- Cite as: U.S. federal policy on student gender identity data. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-policy-on-student-gender-identity-data