The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently announced an investigation into Jeffco Public Schools regarding their policy on sleeping arrangements for transgender students on overnight school trips. The district’s policy states that transgender students should be assigned to share accommodations with students of the same gender identity, with individual needs assessed to maximize social integration and minimize stigmatization.
The investigation is being conducted under Title IX, a law that prohibits discrimination based on sex. The Trump administration has used Title IX to challenge transgender rights policies, including those implemented by Jeffco Public Schools. The district has been accused of misleading parents by not disclosing that their definition of “girl” includes boys who identify as female.
Jeffco Public Schools defended their policy, stating that it aligns with Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws, which allow transgender individuals to use facilities consistent with their gender identity. The district emphasized that families have the ultimate choice in deciding whether their child participates in programs involving overnight accommodations. They also stated that Title IX does not override the protections provided by Colorado state laws.
This investigation is the second of its kind in Colorado since Trump took office, with Denver Public Schools also under scrutiny for converting a girls’ restroom into an all-gender restroom. Additionally, Jeffco Public Schools is facing a federal lawsuit filed by several families over their policy on overnight accommodations for transgender students.
In response to the lawsuit, Jeffco argued that they prioritize students’ comfort and offer options for students to room alone, with specific classmates, or with their parents. When a student expressed discomfort sharing a room with a transgender student, organizers quickly and discreetly made alternative arrangements.
The investigation into Jeffco Public Schools is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to protect women’s and girls’ sports, intimate spaces, and organizations. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the administration’s commitment to upholding Title IX regulations in various settings, including educational institutions.
This article was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. For more educational news and updates, visit their website and sign up for their newsletters.
