The U.S. Department of Education is launching a significant investigation into the Maine Department of Education over potential violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, alongside Nicole Neely, founder of Parents Defending Education, announced this unprecedented inquiry during a recent meeting.

The investigation stems from alarming reports that numerous school districts in Maine are allegedly allowing schools to develop gender identity plans for students without informing their parents. These plans, which support a student's transgender identity, are reportedly being kept from parents under the claim that they do not constitute educational records. Secretary McMahon emphasized that this practice, if true, is both unacceptable and unlawful. She asserted that parents and guardians have a fundamental right to access their child's educational records, which is crucial for ensuring their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Neely echoed McMahon's sentiments, highlighting that many complaints regarding this issue were overlooked by the previous administration. She criticized the trend of keeping parents uninformed while schools facilitate what she termed "gender transitions" for students, calling it a troubling practice that has become too common.

This investigation could have significant implications for how schools in Maine handle sensitive issues related to gender identity and parental rights. As the Department of Education moves forward, the outcome may reshape the relationship between schools and families, ensuring that parents are kept in the loop regarding their children's education and well-being.