of the proposed changes. Some offices within the agency are authorized by statute, meaning congressional approval would be necessary, while others are not. The reorganization effort, which would be phased in over an extended period of time, is in response to executive orders signed by President Trump last year ordering federal agencies to develop a reorganization plan and to look for ways to downsize staffing where possible. Resources: Michael Education Department Proposes Sweeping Stratford, “Morning Education: Organizational Overhaul DeVos Calls for Hearings on School Politico: — Shootings,” Morning Education, February 16, 2018. Author: KSC ED Confirms Transgender Student Complaint Procedures The U.S. Department of Education (ED) confirmed to news outlets this week that it will not take action on complaints filed by transgender students who are prohibited from using the restroom corresponding to their gender identity. Last year, the Trump Administration withdrew guidance issued under the previous administration directing schools to accommodate transgender students based on their gender identity and noting that ED would interpret the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as also covering discrimination based on gender identity. Press reports last month indicated that ED had dismissed several complaints from students claiming discrimination based on transgender status. Liz Hill, spokesperson for ED, responded to press inquiries this week stating that ED’s position is that IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender “Title identity.” ED, however, may reportedly still investigate some types of complaints from transgender students but not complaints based on restroom use. including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to “Where students, conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX,” Hill the case of bathrooms, however, long-standing regulations provide that said. “In separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.” Two federal appeals courts in recent years have ruled in favor of transgender students claiming discrimination based on schools limiting their use of restrooms corresponding to their gender identities, but lower courts have issued conflicting opinions on the matter. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to weigh in substantially on this issue. Justices on the Supreme Court opted to return a case brought last year from a student out of Virginia to the lower court for reconsideration in light of the Trump decision to Administration’s withdraw the Obama-era guidance on Title IX.
of the proposed changes. Some offices within the agency are authorized by statute, meaning congressional approval would be necessary, while others are not. The reorganization effort, which would be phased in over an extended period of time, is in response to executive orders signed by President Trump last year ordering federal agencies to develop a reorganization plan and to look for ways to downsize staffing where possible. Resources: Michael Stratford, “Morning Education: Education Department Proposes Sweeping Organizational Overhaul — DeVos Calls for Hearings on School Shootings,” Politico: Morning Education, February 16, 2018. Author: KSC ED Confirms Transgender Student Complaint Procedures The U.S. Department of Education (ED) confirmed to news outlets this week that it will not take action on complaints filed by transgender students who are prohibited from using the restroom corresponding to their gender identity. Last year, the Trump Administration withdrew guidance issued under the previous administration directing schools to accommodate transgender students based on their gender identity and noting that ED would interpret the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as also covering discrimination based on gender identity. Press reports last month indicated that ED had dismissed several complaints from students claiming discrimination based on transgender status. Liz Hill, spokesperson for ED, responded to press inquiries this week stating that ED’s position is that “Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity.” ED, however, may reportedly still investigate some types of complaints from transgender students but not complaints based on restroom use. “Where students, including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX,” Hill said. “In the case of bathrooms, however, long-standing regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.” Two federal appeals courts in recent years have ruled in favor of transgender students claiming discrimination based on schools limiting their use of restrooms corresponding to their gender identities, but lower courts have issued conflicting opinions on the matter. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to weigh in substantially on this issue. Justices on the Supreme Court opted to return a case brought last year from a student out of Virginia to the lower court for reconsideration in light of the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw the Obama-era guidance on Title IX.
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