Trump administration scraps key protections for transgender students in US schools

The United States Education Department has terminated agreements with five school districts and one college that were aimed at protecting transgender students, the department said on Monday.

The move removes federal requirements that had directed schools to take measures such as training staff to respect students’ preferred names and pronouns and allowing access to bathrooms based on gender identity.

The affected institutions include Delaware Valley School District in Pennsylvania, Sacramento City Unified School District in California, Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware, Fife School District in Washington, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District in California, and Taft College in California.

Shift in Title IX interpretation

Under previous administrations, including those of former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was interpreted to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The latest action reverses that interpretation. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding.

District responses vary

One of the districts, Delaware Valley School District, received notice of the change in February and has since voted to roll back its anti-discrimination protections for transgender students. The decision followed a directive from the Trump administration to rescind an earlier settlement.

In contrast, Sacramento City Unified School District said it “remains committed to the support of our LGBTQ+ students and staff,” AP reports.

Government’s position

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said the decision reflects the administration’s position on gender identity policies in schools.

“Today, the Trump Administration is removing the unnecessary and unlawful burdens that prior Administrations imposed on schools in its relentless pursuit of a radical transgender agenda,” Richey said in a statement, as quoted by AP.

Rare but not unprecedented step

The termination of such civil rights agreements is uncommon, but not without precedent. The department had previously ended agreements related to book removals in Georgia and disciplinary practices affecting Native American students in South Dakota.

Advocacy groups criticised the decision. Shiwali Patel of the National Women’s Law Center said the move weakens protections for vulnerable students.

“This is part of the Trump administration’s assault on education and assault on those who are most vulnerable to experiencing discrimination and harassment, including trans students,” Patel said, according to AP. “They’ve made their intention very clear in wanting to erase protections for trans people.”

Background of earlier complaints

Several of the rescinded agreements stemmed from complaints filed by students.

At Taft College, a case was settled in 2023 after a student alleged discrimination, including refusal by faculty to use preferred pronouns. The agreement required staff training and policy revisions under Title IX.

Similarly, Sacramento City Unified School District had reached a resolution in 2024 after a teacher declined to use a student’s preferred pronouns and did not assign the student to a boys’ group. The agreement mandated staff training on civil rights and complaint procedures.

Wider policy actions

The Trump administration has also taken broader steps related to transgender rights. These include legal action against states that allow transgender students to participate in school sports consistent with their gender identity and efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for minors.

According to AP, the administration has also moved to limit how gender markers are recorded on passports.

The latest decision marks a change in federal policy on how civil rights protections are applied to transgender students in educational institutions.

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