News Summary
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has requested a federal investigation into the policies of four school districts regarding transgender students. He alleges these districts are implementing illegal social transition policies that violate federal laws protecting student privacy and rights. This request follows previous complaints and ongoing concerns about how the districts manage issues relating to gender identity in schools. Responses from the implicated districts emphasize their commitment to educational principles and parental involvement in these matters.
Kansas City, Kansas – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has formally requested an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education into the policies of four school districts in Kansas concerning transgender students. In a letter dated June 24, 2025, Kobach alleges that these districts are implementing “illegal social transition policies” that violate federal laws regarding student privacy and rights.
The four school districts named in Kobach’s letter are:
- Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools USD 500
- Olathe Public Schools USD 223
- Shawnee Mission School District USD 512
- Topeka Public Schools USD 501
Kobach’s concerns center around the claims that these districts have policies that either require or permit teachers to keep information about students’ social transitioning private from their parents. Social transitioning typically involves students presenting themselves in a way that aligns with their gender identity, which might include a change in name, pronouns, and clothing style.
In the letter, Kobach asserts that the policies in Kansas City, Shawnee Mission, and Topeka further mandate that students share bathrooms and locker rooms based on their declared gender identity instead of their sex assigned at birth. He argues that such practices contradict both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Title IX, which are aimed at protecting the rights and privacy of students.
The call for federal investigation follows a complaint lodged by the Defense of Freedom Institute just prior to Kobach’s communication. This backdrop of ongoing concern is not new for the school districts; Kobach has previously engaged with them on similar issues. Back in 2023, he sent letters to six districts addressing concerns about their policies, and as a result, two of those districts amended their regulations. However, the four districts named in the latest letter reportedly have not complied with his previous requests.
In his June 2025 letter, Kobach has explicitly urged the Department of Education to scrutinize the alleged harmful policies and initiate investigations into the school districts’ practices regarding FERPA and Title IX. He confirmed that his office is ready to fully cooperate with the Department’s Student Privacy Protection Office and Office for Civil Rights in the event an investigation commences.
Responses to Kobach’s letter have emerged from some of the implicated school districts. Olathe Public Schools released a statement asserting that they do not engage with political agendas, presenting a stance that their policies are rooted in educational principles rather than politics. In a similar vein, Topeka Public Schools emphasized their commitment to parental rights, highlighting the importance of involving families in decisions that affect their children’s education.
Kobach has frequently raised concerns about the policies of these districts, having previously announced his dissatisfaction as recently as February 2024. His primary concern revolves around the assertion that current policies enable children to pursue social transitioning without the knowledge or consent of their parents. This situation has led to Kobach expressing alarm over the potentially lasting implications these policies may have on young students.
The developments in Kansas reflect an ongoing national discourse regarding transgender rights in educational settings, privacy for students, and the role of parents in discussions about gender identity. As the investigation by the U.S. Department of Education may unfold, further developments are expected in this contentious area of policy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee Law on Transgender Minors
Big Win for Trans Rights: Passport Ruling Changes the Game
Trump Administration Strengthens Antisemitism Screening for Foreign Students
Supreme Court Restores Voting Rights for Censured Lawmaker
Kansas City Implements Additional Security Measures at Local Bar
Transgender Troops Face Discharge from U.S. Military
Concerns Rise Over Trump’s Trade Policies
Supreme Court Supports Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
Federal Investigation into Former Cybersecurity Chief
Thousands Rally in Southern California Against Trump Policies
Additional Resources
- WIBW: Kobach Asks Feds to Investigate Kansas Schools
- CJOnline: Kansas AG Kris Kobach Wants Federal Investigation
- KSNT: Kansas AG Seeks Federal Investigations into Schools
- KSHB: Kansas AG Names Schools for Investigation
- Kansas Reflector: Secretary of State Endorses Bill on School Bonds
