Plans to support students who want to socially transition at school must be shared with parents, the U.S. Department of Education has told educators. Advocates for trans youth worry this approach could endanger some students and rob them of control over their lives.

Schools cannot withhold documents that discuss a child’s gender identity from parents, the U.S. Department of Education said in a Dear Colleague letter to educators.

The Friday letter said many schools and states have misinterpreted federal student privacy laws in ways that prevent parents from knowing when their child is going by a different name or pronouns at school.

Advocates for LGBTQ youth say that most schools try to involve parents but not all parents are safe or supportive.