The Trump administration is currently investigating the state of Maine for alleged violations of federal law by school districts that purportedly withhold information regarding students' gender transitioning from their parents. This inquiry was initiated by the U.S. Department of Education on a Friday, which followed a similar investigation involving the California Department of Education. The federal agency has raised concerns that Maine possibly breaches the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA).
In a correspondence addressed to the Maine Department of Education, the federal education department indicated that the investigation aims to assess whether the agency played a role, either directly or indirectly, in the execution of policies that prevent schools from disclosing student records to parents. This inquiry is part of a broader ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the state of Maine regarding the treatment of transgender students in schools and their participation in high school athletics.
Reportedly, the federal Education Department has received reports that certain Maine school districts have adopted policies that enable schools to formulate "gender plans" that support a student's transgender identity. These policies allegedly categorize such plans as non-educational records, therefore rendering them inaccessible to parents. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that parents and guardians have the right to access their children's educational records to protect their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, asserting that any policy contrary to this is both illegal and immoral.
The investigation into Maine's policies emerged following a public disagreement between President Trump and Democratic Governor Janet Mills in February. During a gathering of governors at the White House, Trump warned that federal funding could be withdrawn from Maine if the state failed to adhere to his executive order that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in sports for their identified gender. Governor Mills responded defiantly, stating, "We'll see you in court," which prompted the federal government to investigate Maine's alignment with the Title IX anti-discrimination law.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that the Maine Department of Education, alongside the Maine Principals' Association and a high school in the Portland area, were in violation of Title IX. In response to a proposed settlement that would prevent transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports, the principals' association and the high school have publicly stated their refusal to comply. The Maine Department of Education did not provide any comments regarding this proposal.
