Education Department Investigates Gender Policies in Five Virginia School Districts

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into the gender identity policies of five school districts in northern Virginia, following complaints lodged by America First Legal (AFL). The inquiry will assess whether these policies violate Title IX and an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump.

The investigation comes after the AFL filed an administrative complaint on February 3 against the Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County school systems. The complaint alleged that the districts allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms in accordance with their gender identity, which AFL claims contradicts federal law.

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) confirmed receipt of the complaints and has initiated a review into the policies that allow staff to affirm students’ chosen names and pronouns. OCR enforces a federal mandate that prohibits discrimination based on sex in all educational programs that receive federal funding.

AFL Senior Advisor Ian Prior expressed gratitude toward the Trump administration for the investigation, stating, “We are grateful that President Trump and the Department of Education are so committed to taking action and investigating these radical and lawless school districts that would rather deny biology than teach it.”

The complaint from AFL referenced a recent incident involving a biological male who was accused of inappropriately exposing himself in a girls’ locker room at Washington Liberty High School. The individual, later identified as a registered sex offender, allegedly claimed to be transgender to access the locker room.

In response to the complaints, the Department of Education’s review will focus on whether the named districts are in compliance with Title IX. If found in violation, the districts could risk losing federal funding.

The investigation may impact policies in up to 456 schools across the five districts. This review reflects broader concerns raised by conservative groups about the promotion of “gender ideology” in public education.

Two of the school districts have confirmed their cooperation with the investigation. Arlington Public Schools stated it is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment, while other districts also affirmed their adherence to existing anti-discrimination laws.

As the investigation proceeds, the implications for transgender rights in education could be significant, potentially leading to changes in policies that could affect many students across the Commonwealth.