Department of Education launches investigations into transgender policies

The U.S. Department of Education has initiated 18 investigations into K-12 school districts, colleges, and state education departments for alleged Title IX violations linked to transgender policies. These probes, announced on January 15, 2026, target entities allowing students to compete in sports based on gender identity rather than biological sex, undermining women’s safety and equal opportunities.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) acted on complaints of sex discrimination, emphasizing how such policies permit biological males identifying as female to join girls’ teams, threatening fairness in education. This move aligns with the Trump Administration’s firm stance against radical gender ideology eroding Title IX protections, which prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded programs.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey declared: “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.” She added: “Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable. 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 investigations span ten states and 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).