U.S. Education Department Launches Investigations into Washington and Colorado School Districts Over Parental Rights and Title IX Violations

(Colorado = Alex Walczak) The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into Bethel School District in Washington and Denver Public Schools in Colorado for alleged violations of parental rights laws and Title IX, following reports of inappropriate school activities involving student privacy and safety.

On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education announced it is investigating Bethel School District in Washington and Denver Public Schools in Colorado for potential violations of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) and Title IX. The Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) are jointly conducting the probes.

In Bethel, concerns arose after a high school displayed vials of testosterone— a controlled substance used in gender transition treatments— as part of a Pride Month exhibit. The display was reportedly left unattended, prompting local police to remove it due to health and safety risks. The Education Department is examining whether school staff encouraged medical procedures without parental consent and if parents were given access to review educational materials or opt their children out of sensitive surveys or evaluations, as required by PPRA.

Meanwhile, Denver Public Schools face scrutiny after a teacher allegedly forced students of the same sex to kiss each other in front of the class as part of an assignment. The SPPO is investigating whether parents were properly notified about this evaluation and if any opt-out requests or complaints were ignored. The OCR will also assess whether the district responded appropriately under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Frank Miller, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office, emphasized the importance of parental rights, stating, “Parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives. Parents—not school officials—know best when it comes to their children.” He added that SPPO will thoroughly investigate these incidents to protect parental authority in education.

Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, condemned the alleged actions in Colorado, calling them “abhorrent” and promising a full investigation to safeguard student safety and rights nationwide.

These investigations come as part of a broader effort by the Department of Education to enforce parental rights laws, coinciding with National Parents’ Day on July 26, 2026. The Department recently announced measures targeting schools that secretly facilitate student gender transitions without parental knowledge.

The PPRA requires schools to notify parents and obtain consent before administering surveys or evaluations involving sensitive information about students and their families. It also grants parents the right to review all educational materials. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in educational settings receiving federal funds, with violations potentially leading to loss of funding.

This move signals the Department’s commitment to upholding student safety and parental rights, with expectations of continued strict enforcement in similar cases moving forward.