The Office of Civil Rights is reviewing complaints surrounding athletic participation policies at K–12 districts, colleges, and state agencies.
The U.S. Department of Education’s (The Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened investigations into eighteen educational entities across ten states following complaints alleging violations of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The entities under review include K–12 school districts, colleges, and state education departments in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
The complaints allege that certain athletic policies allow student participation based on gender identity rather than biological sex, raising questions about compliance with federal sex-discrimination law in education programs receiving federal funding. The investigations were announced as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in separate cases involving state laws governing athletic participation.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said, “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. … 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.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. education and civil rights officials as they carry out their investigations where federal law and student protections intersect.
- For Assistant Secretary Richey and OCR staff as they review circumstances that affect students, schools, and families nationwide.
- For wisdom for school administrators, educators, and students involved in these investigations.
- That these investigations promote safety, legal process, and uphold the integrity of Title IX in educational environments.
Sources: Department of Education, UPI News
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