The U.S. Department of Education is initiating a nationwide effort to combat sexual misconduct involving teachers and school staff, vowing to crack down on educators accused of such behavior and on school districts that reassign rather than dismiss them. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that schools receiving federal funding have a duty to protect students, report misconduct honestly, and comply with the law.
McMahon criticized some school districts for reassigning teachers credibly accused of sexual misconduct instead of terminating their employment. She highlighted that these educators may not have the misconduct reflected in their records, potentially allowing them to be hired by other districts. Citing a 2004 Department of Education review, McMahon noted that approximately one in 10 eighth- through 11th-grade students reported experiencing sexual misconduct by an educator, though the definition used in the review was broad and included verbal and visual conduct.
The department has opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) over an agreement with the United Teachers of Los Angeles. The department alleges this agreement may require teachers credibly accused of certain misconduct to be reassigned while investigations proceed, rather than being removed from student-facing roles. This could include allegations of sexual or romantic relationships with students, creating child pornography, or failing to report suspected child abuse.
LAUSD and the union, however, dispute this characterization, asserting that reassignment in their district means keeping employees away from students during an investigation, with termination remaining a possibility if allegations are substantiated. Reports indicate that in California, at least 67 educators had their licenses not revoked by the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing between 2019 and 2025, despite school districts determining they committed sexual misconduct against students. At least 14 of these educators were subsequently hired by other school districts, with 12 still employed in education as of May.
McMahon emphasized that schools failing to adhere to federal requirements under Title IX and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act risk enforcement actions, including the potential termination of federal assistance. "Make no mistake, the Department will fully enforce federal law and employ every resource at its disposal to protect children from sexual predators," she stated. "Those schools that allow sexual misconduct to occur risk the termination of applicable federal assistance provided by the federal government."