The Bill Spill

Five Northern Virginia School Districts face possible federal funding cuts after the Department of Education investigation found them in violation of Title IX. The law prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

The investigation launched in February and examined policies in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria City Public Schools, Loudoun County, and Prince William County Public Schools. Complaints alleged the districts’ policies allowing transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity violates Title IX policy.

Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

The Department of Education allowed the districts 10 days to respond and rescind the current policies that allow students to access intimate facilities based on their gender identity, issue a memorandum for future policies that reinforce the separation of students by sex, and adopt biological-based  “male” and “female” terms in Title IX practices.

School district representatives disputed the violation findings. They say the current policies are in compliance with Title IX’s anti-discriminatory laws and ensure equal treatment for all students.