Education Department opens parental-rights investigations in Washington and Colorado school districts

The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into two school districts over alleged violations involving parental rights and student information, placing Bethel School District in Washington and Denver Public Schools in Colorado under federal scrutiny.

The department announced the action July 28, 2026. Its Student Privacy Policy Office launched the investigations as part of a broader federal effort to enforce parental access to education records and related protections under federal law.

The next known step is the investigative process itself. Federal officials will review the allegations and the relevant district practices before determining whether further action is warranted. No completion date was provided for either case.

The confirmed development is that two school districts are under investigation by the Education Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office. The July 28 announcement makes parental access to education records and the protection of student information the focus of a federal review with implications beyond the two districts named.