Feds Investigate Gender Identity Policies in Albuquerque and Santa Fe Schools

Feds Investigate Gender Identity Policies in Albuquerque and Santa Fe Schools

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The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into the Albuquerque and Santa Fe public school districts regarding their policies on student gender identity, according to reports from KOB and Yahoo News.

Federal officials are examining whether these districts violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. The investigation focuses on whether school policies prevent parents from accessing information regarding their children’s gender identity and expression.

In Albuquerque, the federal agency alleges that a district social worker was blocked from sharing gender identity information with parents. This restriction reportedly stems from an Albuquerque Public Schools non-discrimination rule that requires schools to use a student’s chosen name and keep that information separate from permanent records, which are made available to parents.

Martin Salazar, the Senior Director of Communications for Albuquerque Public Schools, stated on behalf of the district and its board that APS policies and procedures adhere to FERPA guidelines. He noted that the district has been notified of the investigation and intends to respond through the appropriate channels.

The investigation in Santa Fe involves different specific allegations. The Department of Education claims it received reports from parents alleging the district used “gender support plans” without their knowledge or consent.

Feds investigate policies
Photo: kob.com

One specific document cited by the department is a “Name and Pronoun Info Sheet.” This form asks students how they wish to be addressed in class, and the Department of Education says the form explicitly tells students that teachers will keep their responses confidential from parents.

A spokesperson for Santa Fe Public Schools told Yahoo News that the district has not yet been officially notified of an investigation. The spokesperson said the district remains committed to a safe and respectful learning environment and noted that current policies require parental involvement for changes to a student’s name or gender marker in the official student information system.

If investigators determine that these policies violated federal law, the school districts could face the loss of federal funding, according to KOB.

This move by the Department of Education follows a joint letter sent by the department and the U.S. Department of Justice to all state Attorneys General on October 5, 2026. That letter expressed concerns regarding school districts’ compliance with federal laws involving mental health screenings and parental rights.

Feds Investigate Gender Identity Policies in Albuquerque and Santa Fe Schools
Photo: yahoo.com

The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General has confirmed it received that federal correspondence.

“Policies designed to conceal or hide the most sensitive information about a child’s well-being not only violate federal law but also educators’ moral obligation to let parents be the first decision-makers in their child’s lives,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.

The tension between student privacy protections and parental notification rights remains a central conflict in the current federal oversight of American public education.

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