The United States Department of Education has found that California violated federal Title IX regulations by allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.
An investigation by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) concluded that policies from the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) contradict federal law, which bars sex-based discrimination in education. The probe focused on how the state handles athletic eligibility for transgender students.
Federal officials issued a proposed agreement requiring both agencies to change their policies. Specifically, they must base participation in female sports on biological sex, not gender identity. California has 10 days to comply or face possible legal action from the Department of Justice.
Under the proposal, CDE must notify all federally funded schools that Title IX requires sex-based criteria for girls’ sports. State or local rules that conflict must be revoked or declared invalid under federal law. Additionally, the agencies must restore awards and records to female athletes who lost them due to male participation and issue formal apologies.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized California’s actions and noted the state continued its policy despite Governor Gavin Newsom admitting it was unfair.
The announcement coincides with the Department’s recognition of June as “Title IX Month,” marking 53 years since the law’s passage. The case reflects ongoing clashes between federal standards and state approaches to gender and athletics.
