ED Identifies Civil Rights Violations in Virginia Schools

The Department of Education recently concluded that five school districts in Virginia have infringed upon civil rights laws by permitting boys to use facilities meant for girls.

The investigation began in February, focusing on Alexandria City, Loudoun County, and Prince William County, following allegations from the First American Legal (AFL) that these schools were discriminating against female students. The Department stated that the districts “trampled on students’ rights,” asserting that so-called transgender students are allowed to access restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity rather than biological sex.

“Previous administrations may have overlooked this behavior, but we cannot continue to tolerate what seems to be an extreme political agenda,” a spokesperson from the Department remarked. “It’s critical to ensure the safety, dignity, and innocence of young women and girls.” They proposed a resolution calling for changes in policy inconsistent with the Civil Rights Act, emphasizing a biological definition of “woman” as it relates to Title IX.

In response, Prince William County Public Schools stated that they would “conduct a thorough review” of the suggestions made by the Department, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students, while still strictly adhering to federal and state laws.

While the official statement from Prince William County highlighted their commitment to inclusivity, the other four districts have not yet commented on the matter.

The AFL has persisted in pushing for accountability, highlighting in July that these districts are seemingly ignoring constitutional rights. Their latest complaint emphasized that current policies force students to use private facilities based on their gender, which, according to them, leads to discrimination against transgender students. They argue that the rights of parents to know their children’s gender identity are also being overlooked.

Loudoun County Public Schools had previously attracted significant attention in 2021 over allegations of mishandling sexual assault cases. Moreover, Arlington Public Schools faced scrutiny for allowing sex offenders access to locker rooms, raising serious concerns about the safety of female students.