A Kansas teacher, Courtney Richardson, has stated that she will continue using students’ preferred names and pronouns, despite an ongoing federal investigation into her school district’s gender identity policies. Richardson, a science teacher at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, made the statement on Facebook, saying that using a student’s preferred name and pronouns is not indoctrination, but rather a way to create a safe space for all students.

Federal Investigation

The federal investigation was launched after the Trump administration said it was considering taking enforcement action against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, including potentially withholding federal funding, over policies it says do not require school staff to inform parents when a student identifies as transgender. The Education Department said the district’s policy of not informing parents about a student’s transgender status violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Richardson’s statement has drawn attention to the district’s approach to parental notification and student records. She argued that parents are not always responsive to teachers’ attempts to communicate with them, and that the focus on pronouns is misplaced. Instead, she suggested that parents should be more concerned with their children’s academic performance and well-being.

Parental Rights

The issue of parental rights and notification has been a contentious one in the district. The Trump administration has taken a strong stance on the issue, saying that the blatant refusal to acknowledge parental rights will not be tolerated. The Education Department is working with the Justice Department on possible enforcement actions, which could include litigation and the loss of federal funding.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.