The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened investigations into eighteen educational entities across ten states following complaints that these organizations may have violated Title IX regulations. The complaints allege that certain K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, and state education departments have policies allowing students to participate in sports based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
According to the OCR, such practices could put at risk both the safety and equal opportunities of women participating in educational programs and activities. The announcement comes as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments related to the future of Title IX this week.
“In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs—a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”
The educational entities under investigation include Jurupa School District (CA), Placentia-Yorba School District (CA), Santa Monica College (CA), Santa Rosa Junior College (CA), Waterbury Public Schools (CT), Hawaii State Department of Education (HI), Regional School Unit 19 (ME), Regional School Unit 57 (ME), Foxborough Public Schools (MA), University of Nevada – Reno (NV), Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (NY), New York City Department of Education (NY), Great Valley School District (PA), Champlain Valley School District (VT), Cheney Public Schools (WA), Sultan School District No. 311 (WA), Tacoma Public Schools (WA) and Vancouver Public Schools (WA).
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
