Alaska schools warned on parental consent for surveys and student records

Alaska school districts could put their federal funding at risk if they give students sensitive surveys without written parental consent, or keep student records that parents can't see, the state Department of Education & Early Development warned Wednesday, pointing to new federal guidance.

The warning stems from an Aug. 26 letter from the U.S. Department of Education, which says that letting parents opt out isn't enough — schools need written consent up front for any survey touching on a student's mental health, religious beliefs or political affiliations. The letter counts behavioral health screeners as mental health surveys. It also says parents have the right to inspect all of a student's records, official or not, including "gender" plans that some schools have kept under other names.

It's guidance, not a new rule, and it goes out every year to every superintendent in the country, not just Alaska. But Alaska law already requires written permission for surveys about private family matters, and the state advised districts to review their survey procedures, consent forms, annual notices and how they handle records requests.