The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into two school districts over allegations of violating federal laws related to parental rights and student privacy. The probes focus on a Denver high school teacher who allegedly required same-sex students to kiss in front of their classmates and a Washington state school district that displayed vials of testosterone in a Pride Month exhibit.
Core Facts and Actions
The Education Department announced the investigations on Tuesday, citing potential violations of a federal law that allows parents to opt out of school surveys or evaluations involving topics such as sexual behavior or attitudes. Frank Miller, director of the department’s Student Privacy Policy Office, stated that parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting their children’s lives.
Denver Public Schools placed the teacher on administrative leave after students raised concerns in March 2025. The Bethel School District in Washington state, where the testosterone display occurred, stated that the vials were not authorized by administrators and were immediately removed. The district will cooperate with the investigation.
Deeper Context and Perspectives
Policy and Legal Framework
The investigations are based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits schools from disclosing students’ personally identifiable information without proper authorization. The Education Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division may take enforcement action, including cutting federal funding, if violations are confirmed.
District Responses
Denver Public Schools spokesman Scott Pribble stated the district is finalizing a response. The Bethel School District emphasized that the testosterone vials were not authorized and were turned over to law enforcement. The vials were part of a Pride Month exhibit at Graham-Kapowsin High School.
Broader Implications
The investigations come amid ongoing debates over parental rights, LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools, and the role of federal oversight in education. The Education Department has also probed other districts, including Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland and Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan, for allegedly hiding students’ transgender identities from parents.
Opposing Views
Supporters of LGBTQ+ inclusivity argue that such exhibits and exercises promote acceptance and education, while critics contend they infringe on parental rights and expose students to inappropriate content without consent. The investigations highlight the tension between school policies and federal regulations.