U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigations into California School Districts Over Student Privacy Concerns

The U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) has initiated investigations into three California school districts—North Monterey County Unified, Palo Alto Unified, and San Francisco Unified—for allegedly violating federal parental rights laws. The investigations stem from reports that these districts require students to participate in 'Wheel of Power/Privilege' or 'Mapping My Identities' activities, which reportedly compel students to disclose sensitive personal and family information without parental consent. The Department is examining whether these practices violate the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which mandates parental notification and written consent for student surveys on protected information. Violations could lead to enforcement actions and potential loss of federal funding.