The U.S. Department of Education has announced the elevation of its Title IX investigations concerning the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to the Title IX Special Investigations Team. This team includes both the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The decision follows an event in Minnesota where a male athlete from Champlin Park High School participated in a girls’ MSHSL softball match, leading to a state championship victory for Champlin.
In February, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the Department of Education initiated a Title IX investigation into MSHSL due to its policies allowing student-athletes to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex. On June 3, another investigation was opened into MDE after complaints were received regarding policies that allegedly permit males to participate in female sports and use female-only facilities. Both cases are now being handled by the Title IX Special Investigations Team.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “The Trump Administration has a duty to protect women and girls and uphold federal civil rights, and I am pleased to partner with Attorney General Pam Bondi to elevate the Department’s investigations in Minnesota to the Title IX Special Investigations Team.” She added, “Minnesota’s continued indifference to females’ civil rights is completely unacceptable.”
June has been designated as ‘Title IX Month’ by the Department of Education, marking fifty-three years since Title IX was enacted on June 23, 1972. The aim is to emphasize women's rights to equal educational opportunities.
The formation of the Title IX Special Investigations Team was announced on April 4 by both the Department of Education and the Department of Justice, aiming to streamline investigations amidst numerous complaints related to Title IX.
Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial support.
