PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Department of Education has officially launched an inquiry into Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s largest school district, concerning its decision to allow a transgender student-athlete to participate in a girls’ high school track-and-field team.
The investigation seeks to determine if the decision conflicts with Title IX, a federal law from 1972 that prohibits gender discrimination in educational institutions. In recent times, this law has been used by the Trump administration to challenge schools that make provisions for transgender students.
Last month, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order aimed at preventing transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. This stance highlights a broader federal push to restrict the inclusion of transgender athletes in gender-segregated sports.
“We will not permit the Portland Public Schools District or any educational body receiving federal funding to infringe upon the antidiscrimination safeguards guaranteed to women and girls,” stated Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the education department, in the release.
The department also communicated that a letter had been dispatched to the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), alerting it to an investigation regarding its “gender identity participation” policy.
According to a complaint lodged with the department’s civil rights office, the Portland district and OSAA allowed a transgender student to compete in the girls’ track-and-field events for two seasons. This complaint prompted the current investigation.
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong emphasized that the district is compliant with Oregon state laws, “which may differ from federal guidelines,” and is making efforts to “navigate this complex legal landscape.”
“I am fully cognizant of the complaint lodged with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, and Portland Public Schools is cooperating completely with this investigation,” Armstrong noted in a statement.
While she refrained from sharing specific details due to the case’s sensitive nature and the need to safeguard student privacy, Armstrong asserted, “My commitment — and our district’s commitment — to prioritizing the wellbeing of all students, particularly those most vulnerable, remains unwavering.”
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has initiated other investigations, targeting Denver public schools for replacing a girls’ restroom with an all-gender restroom, while keeping another restroom exclusively for boys. A similar investigation is underway with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.