U.S. Secretary
of Education Betsy DeVos Issues Statement on New Title IX Guidance
We have a responsibility to protect every
student in America and ensure that they have the freedom to learn and thrive in a
safe and trusted environment. This is not merely a federal mandate, but a moral
obligation no individual, school, district or state can abdicate. At my
direction, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights remains committed to
investigating all claims of discrimination, bullying and harassment against
those who are most vulnerable in our schools.
The guidance issued by the previous
administration has given rise to several legal questions. As a result, a federal court in August 2016 issued a nationwide
injunction barring the Department from enforcing a portion of its application. Since that time, the Department has not enforced that
part of the guidance, thus there is no immediate impact to students by
rescinding this guidance.
This is an issue best solved at the
state and local level. Schools, communities, and families can find – and in
many cases have found – solutions that protect all students.
I have dedicated my career to advocating for
and fighting on behalf of students, and as Secretary of Education, I consider
protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key priority for the
Department, but for every school in America.
We owe all students a commitment to ensure
they have access to a learning environment that is free of discrimination,
bullying and harassment.
The new guidance can be found here.
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