US Education Department Orders Illinois to Revise Student Mental Health Screening Policy

The U.S. Department of Education has directed the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to revise its guidance on student mental health screenings conducted without parental consent. The Department asserts these practices violate federal privacy laws, including FERPA and PPRA, which mandate parental notification and consent for sensitive student information. ISBE faces a November 13, 2026 deadline for revisions, with potential enforcement actions and loss of federal funding for non-compliance, highlighting a conflict over student privacy and parental rights.