Department of Education Investigates 18 School Districts Over Sports Policies

The Department of Education announced on Wednesday that it is investigating 18 school districts and universities due to potential violations of civil rights laws. This stems from policies permitting men to compete in women’s sports.

These entities are accused of breaching Title IX of the federal Civil Rights Act, which aims to protect women from discrimination and, according to the Department, jeopardizes “both the safety and equal opportunity of women in educational programs and activities.” The situation is further complicated by the Supreme Court currently deliberating on two cases concerning state bans on men in women’s sports.

In conjunction with these ongoing Supreme Court hearings, Kimberly Ritchie, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Education Department, emphasized that the agency is actively pursuing claims of discrimination against women and girls, focusing on organizations that allow men’s participation in women’s sports.

Ritchie remarked, “The previous administration made it clear that violations of women’s rights, dignity, and equity won’t be tolerated. We are committed to conducting these investigations to ensure women maintain equal access to educational programs. This struggle has been ongoing for over fifty years and is far from finished.”

Federal oversight is directed at school districts in several states, including California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. Additionally, the education departments in Hawaii and New York City are involved. In higher education, institutions such as Santa Monica College, Santa Rosa College, and the University of Nevada are also part of the investigations.

Addressing the Supreme Court hearings on Tuesday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon affirmed that Title IX will be enforced according to “biological reality.” A memo from the Education Department published in February 2025 had previously signaled the government’s position on this matter and led to the formation of a Title IX Task Force to investigate sexual discrimination complaints thoroughly.

While the Biden administration initially aimed to revise Title IX to include “gender identity,” that initiative was ultimately abandoned following a protracted legal dispute that a federal court later blocked permanently.