U.S. Department of Education Investigates Districts in Washington and Colorado to Protect Parental Rights Laws and Uphold Title IX
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s (the Department’s) Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) launched parental rights investigations into Bethel School District in Washington and Denver Public Schools in Colorado for alleged violations of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will also determine whether Denver Public Schools violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).
The Department will investigate recent reports that a high school in Bethel School District exposed students to vials of testosterone – a controlled substance often prescribed for so-called “gender transitioning” – as part of a “Pride Month” display in June. Local police eventually removed the display due to the health and safety concerns associated with restricted drugs being left unattended so close to minor students. These reports raise serious concerns, including whether Bethel School District teachers and school administrators encourage students to undergo medical procedures without parental consent. SPPO will also investigate whether the District allows parents to view instructional materials upon request and if parents were given the opportunity to opt their children out of surveys, examinations, or any other type of evaluation for which PPRA requires parental consent.
The Department is also investigating incidents that took place at a Denver Public Schools high school involving a teacher who allegedly required students of the same sex to kiss each other in front of the classroom as part of a class assignment. Parents are entitled by law to be notified if their children will be surveyed or evaluated on sensitive information about sex behaviors or attitudes. SPPO will investigate whether parents were notified about this student evaluation and whether parent or student opt-outs or complaints were ignored. Additionally, OCR will investigate whether the District appropriately responded to the incident, consistent with the requirements of Title IX.
“Shocking reports from across the country indicate that our kids are being subjected to inappropriate material, surveys, and events in schools, and parents’ fundamental right to review such materials and opt their children out of these suggestive activities appear to be disregarded in the process.” said Frank Miller, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office. “Parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives. Parents – not school officials – know best when it comes to their children. SPPO will thoroughly investigate these reports, and any similar reports, to protect parental rights and authority in education.”