The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has requested that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent and CEO Macquline King provide information regarding the district's policies on notifying parents about students' gender transitions. This inquiry follows concerns that CPS may be withholding such information from parents, potentially conflicting with parental rights in education.
In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Committee Chair Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., cited King's testimony at a June 10 hearing where she stated that CPS "do[es] not hide information from parents." However, Walberg pointed to CPS' interim guidelines and a "Gender Diversity Toolkit" that he contends suggest otherwise. These documents reportedly prohibit staff from disclosing a student's "transgender status or gender-nonconforming presentation" without the student's permission and do not require parental consent.
Walberg expressed concern that the wording of these policies could impede communication between school faculty and parents regarding a student's gender identity. He referenced the Supreme Court's stance in Mirabelli v. Bonta, which suggests parents have primary authority in their children's upbringing and education. Walberg noted that when asked about alignment with this ruling, King's response was indirect, stating a hope for communication between parents, families, students, and schools.
The Supreme Court's decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta, though still in litigation, indicated that parents were likely to succeed in claims that a California law preventing schools from disclosing a child's "gender identity" to parents without the student's permission violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The committee is requesting all guidance documents, written complaints, and professional development training materials related to gender and sexuality within CPS, with a response deadline of September 11. Walberg stated that parents have a right to be informed about their child's education and to have a say in decisions made about them, asserting that the committee will "always stand up for parents’ rights."