The Department of Education (ED) on Tuesday announced new investigations into the Maryland State Department of Education and several Maryland school districts over policies that allegedly favor gender ideology over biological reality, at the expense of female students.
ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened the probes on the 54th anniversary of the signing of Title IX into state department of education, as well as Montgomery County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and Frederick County Public Schools (the Districts). OCR is looking to determine if the entities have violated Title IX by allowing boys to access girls’ intimate facilities and sports teams.
ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened the probes on the 54th anniversary of the signing of Title IX into state department of education, as well as Montgomery County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and Frederick County Public Schools (the Districts). OCR is looking to determine if the entities have violated Title IX by allowing boys to access girls’ intimate facilities and sports teams.
“The practice of allowing students to access sex-separated programs and facilities based solely on self-asserted ‘gender identity’ is deeply troubling and raises significant legal concerns,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a statement.
“Fifty-four years after Title IX was signed into law, the Trump Administration remains steadfast to enforce its promise to protect women and girls. We will fully investigate these allegations and take appropriate action to ensure compliance with federal law,” Richey continued.
ED said OCR received a complaint that Maryland’s statewide guidance and district-level policies mandate schools to allow boys to use girls’ locker rooms, restrooms, and overnight accommodations and compete on girls’ sports teams. The complaint also alleges that the burden is on female students to seek alternative arrangements and facilities if they are uncomfortable, “including distant single-user restrooms.”