The Justice Department and Department of Education have entered an agreement to strengthen FERPA and PPRA enforcement in schools, focusing on parents’ access to education records, student privacy complaints and consent for certain surveys.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced the initiative in a video posted on X on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The agreement itself is dated Monday, June 15, 2026.

FERPA and PPRA enforcement focuses on records and surveys

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, generally gives parents access to their children’s education records. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, known as PPRA, provides protections involving certain school-administered surveys and sensitive student information.

Dhillon said schools should not conceal records or curriculum information from parents or require students to discuss sensitive subjects without consent required by federal law.

Under the agreement, the Justice Department will review complaints, investigate alleged privacy violations and recommend possible resolutions. The Education Department will continue overseeing the Student Privacy Policy Office and retain final authority over enforcement decisions, policies and case outcomes.

Federal funding and litigation could be used

Dhillon said the Civil Rights Division could use investigations and litigation when school policies interfere with federally protected parental rights. She also said continued violations could put federal funding at risk.

The agencies did not identify a school district or announce an immediate enforcement case connected to the agreement.

The partnership arrives amid disputes over school records, curriculum transparency, parental notification and student gender identity policies. Its significance will depend on how complaints are evaluated, which violations are established and what remedies the Education Department approves.