Story perspectives

U.S. Officials Seek FERPA Action Against LAUSD Over Student Data

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 10:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Secretary Linda McMahon and Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon announced an enforcement action against Los Angeles Unified School District.
The action alleges LAUSD policies keep gender identity and other student data private from parents.
Violations could trigger loss of federal education funding under FERPA or PPRA.
The agencies sent a joint letter to state attorneys general urging nationwide enforcement of parental-rights provisions.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act in 1974, championed by Senator James L. Buckley, to protect parents’ and students’ access to education records at any school receiving funds. A 1998 amendment later allowed schools to release final disciplinary outcomes without consent. The Department of Education and officials such as Secretary Linda McMahon cite FERPA in challenging Los Angeles Unified’s gender-identity data policy.

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Story summary

U.S. Secretary Linda McMahon and Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon announced an enforcement action against Los Angeles Unified School District.
The action alleges LAUSD policies keep gender identity and other student data private from parents.
Violations could trigger loss of federal education funding under FERPA or PPRA.
The agencies sent a joint letter to state attorneys general urging nationwide enforcement of parental-rights provisions.

1 / 2