The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced on Apr. 6 that it has rescinded provisions of resolution agreements imposed by prior administrations, which required schools to enforce Title IX based on gender identity rather than sex.
This move affects how schools address issues related to discrimination under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs receiving federal funds. The Department said the previous requirements were illegal and burdensome, claiming they had no legal foundation and were driven by ideology.
According to the Department, earlier administrations interpreted Title IX to cover 'gender identity' and enforced resolution agreements against school districts for actions such as improper use of preferred pronouns or asking about a student’s preferred gender. The current administration stated these interpretations went beyond the plain meaning of the law.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said, “Today, the Trump Administration is removing the unnecessary and unlawful burdens that prior Administrations imposed on schools in its relentless pursuit of a radical transgender agenda. While previous Administrations launched Title IX investigations based on ‘misgendering,’ the Trump Administration is investigating allegations of girls and women being injured by men on their sports team or feeling violated by men in their intimate spaces.” Richey added, “Today is yet another demonstration of the Trump Administration’s commitment to uphold the law, protect our students, and restore common sense. No longer will the federal government force educational institutions to violate the law or punish them for upholding it.”
The Department specified it will no longer monitor or enforce portions of six resolution agreements with Cape Henlopen School District; Delaware Valley School District; Fife School District; La Mesa-Spring Valley School District; Sacramento City Unified; and Taft College.
The announcement comes after a January 2025 federal court decision set aside a Biden Administration rule expanding Title IX protections to include gender identity. Following this ruling, enforcement returned to guidelines established during Trump's first term.
