The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into two school districts, Denver Public Schools and one in Washington state, over allegations that could infringe on parental rights. The probes stem from separate incidents involving a purported same-sex kissing exercise and the display of testosterone vials.
According to the department, it will examine whether Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District in Washington state violated a federal law that allows parents to opt out of school evaluations concerning topics such as sex behavior or attitudes. Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the Education Department, stated in a release that "Parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives."
The department announced the investigations on the eve of National Parents’ Day, signaling a week of increased enforcement actions related to parental rights laws.
In the Denver school district, allegations suggest a high school teacher required students of the same sex to kiss in front of a class. A spokesperson for Denver Public Schools indicated the district was finalizing its response.
Separately, the Bethel School District is being investigated for an incident at Graham-Kapowsin High School where vials containing a "small amount of unknown liquid" were part of a Pride month exhibit. The district stated that the display was not authorized by administrators, was immediately removed, and the vials were turned over to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. The district added that it is reviewing its protocols for overseeing displays to ensure all school materials align with educational standards and community expectations, emphasizing its commitment to a safe and respectful learning environment.
Testosterone is a medication prescribed for gender-affirming care. It remains unclear if the liquid in the vials was confirmed to be testosterone.
The Trump administration has previously initiated dozens of investigations into schools, often focusing on accommodations for transgender and LGBTQ+ students. These actions have frequently targeted districts regarding policies on bathroom and locker room access based on gender identity and have also opposed schools that maintain student gender identity information confidentially from parents, which the department considers a violation of federal privacy laws.