U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Initiates 18 Title IX Investigations

News Release from U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) January 14, 2026

Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated investigations into eighteen educational entities in ten states based on complaints submitted to OCR alleging that they have violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).

The complaints assert that these entities, which range from K-12 school districts to postsecondary education institutions to state departments of education, maintain policies or practices that discriminate on the basis of sex by permitting students to participate in sports based on their ‘gender identity,’ not biological sex. These policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities.

“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 following entities are currently under investigation:

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)
Vancouver Public Schools (WA) 

Background

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. 

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