ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — The Justice Department sued Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Tuesday, alleging the district violated federal parental-rights and student-record laws through policies governing transgender students.
The complaint alleges the district allowed students to use different names, pronouns and gender identities at school without automatically notifying their parents. Federal officials argue those practices violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA.
The lawsuit highlights one anonymous family whose daughter allegedly began using a male name at school. According to the complaint, her parents discovered the change after receiving emails using that name and later encountered difficulty obtaining related education records. Those claims have not been proven in court.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools disputes the allegations and says it complies with both FERPA and PPRA. The district said it had been communicating with federal officials in good faith and called the decision to pursue litigation regrettable.
The district also revised its gender-identity policies before the current school year. Under the revised rules, parental wishes regarding a student’s preferred name, pronouns and bathroom use take precedence when parents and students disagree.
The lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration effort to challenge school policies involving transgender students and parental notification.
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