Education Department investigating three Michigan school district over alleged Title IX violations

The Education Department is investigating three Michigan school districts following reports of athletics and locker room policies reflecting students' “self-professed ‘gender identities’” rather than biological sex. 

The investigation, announced Thursday and led by the department's Office of Civil Rights, more specifically responds to complaints of Title IX violations against the Chippewa Valley School District as well as Ann Arbor and Monroe public schools.

The Trump administration has opened numerous investigations into schools suspected of violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and guarantees “equal athletic opportunity” for both genders.

Ann Arbor is accused of allowing a male student to compete on the women's volleyball team and use female-only locker rooms to change clothes.

Monroe's female volleyball team was reportedly forced to compete against a team with a biological male and share locker rooms with the male athlete. Parents cited the district’s inaction in the face of potential legal violations and “inappropriate, unsafe situations” for female students. 

Chippewa Valley is being investigated for allegedly allowing a female to use male-only locker rooms. 

Such ‘gender identity’ policies are “not only known to be unsafe for students, but [are] a direct violation of federal law,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. 

Title IX also upholds biological differences between men and women and protects sex-segregated sports in K-12 public schools and higher education. 

If found to be in violation, schools are required to reverse transgender policies – or risk government funding. 

Four Kansas school districts this month received Letters of Impending Enforcement Action from the department after failing to adhere to Title IX, and currently face termination of federal education dollars. 

“We will continue to fight for what is right, fully investigate these alarming allegations, and enforce the law to the fullest extent,” Assistant Secretary Richey said.