The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), alleging that the school system violated federal parental rights laws by withholding information about students’ gender identities and preferred names and pronouns.
According to the Justice Department, AACPS policies allow school staff to document and use students’ preferred names and pronouns without notifying their parents. The lawsuit alleges that the policies improperly restrict parents’ access to certain education records and allow staff to withhold information based on concerns about student safety.
The complaint also describes allegations involving a family whose child was referred to by a different name and pronouns at school. The parents allege that school officials initially provided misleading information and later declined to release relevant records.
The Justice Department argues that the policies violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which establish certain parental rights regarding education records and the collection of student information.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The school system’s response to the lawsuit was not included in the Justice Department’s announcement.
