Washington schools federal investigation underway. The U.S. Department of Education has launched a federal investigation into Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) over policies that may violate key federal laws regarding parental rights and student privacy. The probe centers on a dispute with the La Center School District, which OSPI has pressured to adopt gender identity policies that require keeping students’ gender transitions confidential from their parents.
According to a letter obtained by the Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, the Department of Education believes OSPI’s directives may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The federal agency has threatened to withhold funds from districts that do not comply with state law, even when those mandates clash with federal protections.
La Center Schools Superintendent Peter Rosenkranz has defended the district’s stance, arguing that state policies strip parents of their rights by requiring staff to use student-preferred pronouns without parental involvement.
The investigation follows statements by OSPI head Chris Reykdal defending Washington’s progressive education agenda. Reykdal has openly rejected the notion that there are only two genders and has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite significant academic decline across the state. Over 70% of Washington’s eighth graders are not proficient in math or reading.
Reykdal recently denounced federal efforts to enforce compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action. He also opposed a federal executive order aimed at protecting women’s sports from biological males, calling it discriminatory and incompatible with Washington law.
This federal investigation adds to a growing clash between the Biden administration and progressive state officials over parental rights and gender identity policies in public education.
