Several Maryland school districts can choose to keep parents in the dark about their children’s gender identity, according to a Spotlight on Maryland analysis.
School districts in four counties — Baltimore County, Calvert County, Charles County and Harford County — said they follow the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) guidance on gender identity, which state there are situations when it is best not to inform parents about their child’s gender transition.
Carroll County is the only school district that provided Spotlight on Maryland a policy which contradicts MSDE guidance by requiring parental notification. The school systems in Frederick and Montgomery counties adopted policies and guidance of their own that are closely aligned with the MSDE document.
MSDE’s recommendations emphasize that parents often inform educators when their children want to go by a different gender identity in school. However, the document notes that some parents may be unaware of their children’s new gender identity, which schools should handle on a case-by-case basis. This includes a mention that schools should not be required to inform parents of their child’s change in gender identity.
