Feds Investigate WA Schools Over Gender Inclusivity Conflicts

The Trump administration has initiated an investigation into the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) regarding allegations that it directed the La Center School District to adopt a gender inclusion policy that may violate federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Title IX. This investigation places the La Center School District, which has about 1,800 students, at the center of a contentious debate over how schools should handle issues related to gender identity and pronoun usage. Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz had previously instructed teachers not to ask students about their pronouns, though he permitted them to use preferred pronouns if requested. Critics argue this policy creates barriers to inclusivity for LGBTQ students. OSPI has characterized the Department of Education's actions as an overreach of federal authority, reflecting the ongoing tensions between state and federal approaches to gender inclusivity in education. The conflict has been ongoing for several years and has drawn significant attention within the community and beyond.