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The U.S. Department of Education recently issued a significant reminder to educational institutions across the country through a “Dear Colleague” letter on January 31, informing them that Title IX regulations implemented during the Trump administration in 2020 remain active and must be followed.

Unfortunately for the Denver Public School District (DPS), this notification arrived after they had already encountered complications related to these regulations. Their recent experience serves as a stark illustration of the ongoing impact of these rules.

Earlier that week, the district found itself embroiled in a controversy when they improperly handled a situation involving a male student’s presence in a female restroom. The district initially responded by transferring the male student to online learning, but quickly reversed this decision.

The incident highlighted the complexities surrounding the current Title IX regulations, particularly regarding bathroom access policies. These rules explicitly protect students’ rights to use facilities matching their gender identity, making the district’s initial response problematic.

DPS administrators acknowledged their misstep, with Superintendent Alex Marrero expressing regret over the handling of the situation. The district has since taken steps to align their practices more closely with federal guidelines, demonstrating the critical importance of maintaining compliance with current Title IX requirements.

The timing of the Education Department’s reminder underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in navigating these regulations. While the Biden administration has proposed new Title IX rules, these have yet to be finalized, leaving the 2020 regulations as the current standard for schools to follow.

The situation serves as a reminder to educational institutions nationwide about the importance of staying informed about and correctly implementing federal education policies, particularly those affecting student rights and protections under Title IX.