Federal Investigation Targets Washington’s Gender-Inclusive School Protections; Highline Pledges Continued Support for LGBTQ+ Youth
Burien, WA – Washington’s gender-inclusive school policies are now under federal scrutiny following the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to investigate how the state enforces civil rights protections for transgender and gender-expansive students. The investigation, announced today, focuses on the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), alleging violations of Title IX, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal strongly condemned the investigation, calling it “a dangerous war against individuals who are transgender or gender-expansive.” He emphasized that Washington law, which has prohibited discrimination based on gender identity since 2006, will continue to guide public school policy unless overturned by the courts or Congress.
Recently, Highline School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran reaffirmed the district’s stance, stating that Highline will continue to “protect and affirm all gender-expansive youth,” regardless of shifting federal priorities. The district, which serves Burien and surrounding areas, has implemented inclusive policies that align with state law, including privacy accommodations and support for student-led decisions around gender identity.
Reykdal said, “A student’s school should be a safe place where they can learn, thrive, and be their authentic self, and family involvement and acceptance are extremely beneficial to all students. Unfortunately, it is not safe for all individuals to open up to their family regarding gender identity.”
Supporters of gender-inclusive policies argue that affirming students’ identities reduces risks of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. OSPI also contends that schools should not be forced into parental roles when it comes to matters of gender identity, particularly when doing so could endanger students who lack supportive home environments.
However, the conversation remains contentious.
Highline area resident and mental health professional Alex Myrick voiced opposition to these policies, arguing they compromise fairness and safety, particularly in sports.
“The politically-correct fad of allowing biological boys to identify as girls, and compete against them is a blatant denial of scientific reality,” Myrick said. “It undermines all sports, and is totally unreasonable, unfair, and unsafe.”
Myrick’s statement reflects broader national debates over gender identity in athletics and student privacy, which have become political flashpoints in recent years.
Despite the controversy, Highline’s leadership says its direction is clear. “Our mission is rooted in equity and belonging,” said Duran. “That includes standing up for our transgender and gender-expansive students—no matter what.”
The federal investigation is expected to unfold over the coming months. Meanwhile, students, educators, and families in Burien will continue to navigate the local impact of national politics—one policy, and one young life, at a time.
Here is the full statement issued by OSPI on April 30, 2025.
OLYMPIA—April 30, 2025—Two weeks ago, the Trump Administration (Administration) announced that they intend to take aim at Washington’s nondiscrimination laws through an investigation of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Today, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) formally opened the investigation.
This investigation, which alleges that OSPI is out of compliance with Title IX, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), is the latest target in the Administration’s dangerous war against individuals who are transgender or gender-expansive. Maine and California are already subject to investigations––and a federal lawsuit, in Maine’s case––related to state civil rights protections based on student gender identity.
Washington public schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender and gender-expansive students, so that all students can thrive. Since 2006, Washington state law has prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and the state has allowed students to participate in school-based athletics in alignment with their gender identity since 2007. These protections fit within the scope of what is allowed by federal law and have been successfully established and implemented for nearly two decades.
Transgender and gender-expansive students are not the only students affected by gender and gender stereotypes at school. When schools affirmatively support gender diversity, all students are empowered to live more authentically and to take advantage of different opportunities that might not have otherwise been available.
A student’s school should be a safe place where they can learn, thrive, and be their authentic self, and family involvement and acceptance are extremely beneficial to all students. Unfortunately, it is not safe for all individuals to open up to their family regarding gender identity, and family rejection related to an individual’s gender identity results in increased odds of a suicide attempt and/or misusing drugs or alcohol. It is not the role of the school system to facilitate private conversations that should be happening between students and their parents or guardians, and the federal government should not force schools to play the role of parents when it comes to gender identity.
Additionally, students deserve privacy, even if they are enrolled in public school. Washington state law requires schools to provide any student, transgender or not, who needs or desires increased privacy with access to an alternative restroom or changing room option.
In this alarming attempt to infringe on the rights of our transgender and gender-expansive students, the Department is trying to co-opt laws enacted to protect students from discrimination and distort them into mandated discrimination. The Department also attempts to twist FERPA and PPRA into tools designed to undermine the health, safety, and wellbeing of students. The interpretations taken by the Department are not supported by these laws.
My job as the leader of this constitutional office is to communicate, uphold, and enforce the law. My office will enforce our current laws as we are required to do until Congress changes the law and/or federal courts invalidate Washington state’s laws. Unless, and until that happens, we will be following Washington state’s laws, not a president’s political leanings expressed through unlawful orders.
3 Responses
Reykdal is an epic failure and should be recalled. He’s a complete embarrassment to Washington State
It’s about time Washington D.C. turned its eyes towards the radical left-wing policies here in the wild west aka Washington state. This is an 90-10 issue but you’d never know it by the biased reporting and brainwashing that goes on around here. Wake up people!!
While OSPI forces school districts to hide information from parents about THEIR child and forces staff to ‘address trans student and ask how they want to be addressed at school vs home’. Let’s invite them to GSA while telling the parent it’s Art club and talk about sex & who knows what other disgusting inappropriate conversations are had there. Maybe offer the studemt a new wardrobe while they are at school and can change back before the student goes home so parents don’t know. And finally, sending them to the School based health clinic to start puberty blockers and/or hormone therapy, all without the parents consent or knowledge…..So who exactly is acting in the role of parents and having inappropriate private conversations with children?! Such a hypocritical fraud, ugh!!!!
“It is not the role of the school system to facilitate private conversations that should be happening between students and their parents or guardians, and the federal government should not force schools to play the role of parents when it comes to gender identity. “