A months-long federal investigation has concluded that Alexandria City Public Schools violated Title IX civil rights law with policies allowing transgender students to use facilities aligned with their gender identity.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced Friday that Alexandria’s policy providing facility access based on “gender identity” rather than biological sex violates federal law.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the findings, which also targeted four other Northern Virginia school districts: “These school divisions have been violating federal law, deliberately neglecting their responsibility to protect students’ safety, privacy and dignity.”
Investigation launched in February
The federal probe began after conservative legal group America First Legal filed a complaint alleging Northern Virginia districts gave transgender students “greater rights” than other students regarding facility access.
At the time, Alexandria schools said it would respond “in accordance with applicable law.” City Council member Kirk McPike vowed the city would stand with transgender students and their families.
The following is a limited list of Title IX violations reported at Alexandria City Public Schools:
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
- ACPS’ “Nondiscrimination in Education” policy “provides access for all students to facilities, such as restrooms and locker rooms, that correspond to a student’s gender identity.” If a student is uncomfortable sharing intimate facilities with someone of the opposite sex, they can access a “single user” facility provided they “minimize lost instructional time.”
What Alexandria must do
The Office for Civil Rights has given Alexandria 10 days to voluntarily agree to policy changes or face Justice Department referral. The district must:
- Rescind policies allowing facility access based on “gender identity”
- Require future policies separate students “strictly on the basis of sex”
- Adopt “biology-based definitions” of male and female in Title IX policies
Federal investigators found students across all five districts avoid school restrooms when possible because of current policies.
The findings reflect the Trump administration’s shift on transgender policy since taking office in January.
ALXnow has reached out to Alexandria City Public Schools for comment.
