Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the conclusion of its Title IX investigations into the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for their role in allowing discrimination against women and girls in sports.
The OCR has determined that both entities violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by permitting male athletes to compete in women’s sports and occupy female-only facilities, undermining the opportunities for female athletes to compete fairly.
What Is Title IX and Why Is It Important?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities, including sports, for schools that receive federal funding.
The law was designed to ensure that women and girls have equal access to educational opportunities, including athletics.
However, the California Department of Education and CIF were found to have allowed policies that violated these protections by permitting male athletes to participate in women’s sports competitions, leading to unfair advantages and safety concerns for female athletes.
Trump Administration’s Focus on Protecting Female Athletes
Under the Trump Administration, protecting female athletes from unfair competition and unsafe environments has been a top priority.
U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, emphasized that allowing males to compete in women’s sports goes against the essence of Title IX, which was designed to provide equal opportunities for female athletes.
She expressed concerns about how California’s actions have led to the misappropriation of titles and recognition that should have been earned by female athletes.
McMahon made it clear that the administration would not back down in enforcing Title IX protections and that California must comply with the law or face further consequences.
The Proposed Resolution Agreement
As a result of the OCR’s findings, the Department of Education has issued a proposed Resolution Agreement to both CDE and CIF, which requires the following actions:
- Compliance Notice: The CDE will issue a Notice to all entities receiving federal funding that operate interscholastic athletic programs in California, requiring them to comply with Title IX. The Notice will emphasize that males cannot participate in women’s sports and must not occupy female-only facilities. It will also require the adoption of biology-based definitions for “male” and “female.”
- Clarification on Federal Law: The CDE will inform recipients that any California state law conflicting with federal Title IX regulations is preempted by federal law.
- Rescinding Conflicting Guidance: Both the CDE and CIF will rescind any guidance that permitted male athletes to compete in women’s sports. This is to ensure that federal law is followed, overriding any conflicting state policies.
- Restoration of Titles and Records: Female athletes whose records, titles, and awards were misappropriated by male athletes will have their achievements restored.
- Apology to Affected Athletes: A personalized letter of apology will be sent to each female athlete whose experience was harmed by the violations, acknowledging the discrimination they faced.
- Annual Certification: The CDE will require all recipients, including CIF, to submit annual certifications that confirm compliance with Title IX. A monitoring plan will be implemented to ensure that compliance is maintained.
Acknowledging Title IX Month
In recognition of the 53rd anniversary of Title IX, the Department of Education has declared June as “Title IX Month.”
This month will be dedicated to celebrating and reflecting on the continued fight for gender equality in educational and athletic opportunities, marking the importance of the law that has opened doors for millions of women and girls.
Background and Timeline of Investigations
The investigation into California’s practices began after the state openly admitted to violating Title IX by allowing male athletes to compete in female sports categories.
Despite Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledging the unfairness of such practices, both the CDE and CIF continued to enforce these policies. In February, the OCR initiated an investigation into CIF, which later escalated to a Title IX Special Investigations Team in May.
In April, the Department of Education also launched an investigation into the California Department of Education’s failure to protect female athletes.
The investigations were intensified following the Supreme Court’s decision on June 18, 2025, which upheld laws that regulate medical treatments related to “gender dysphoria.”
The ruling highlighted the distinction between biological sex and gender identity, which is critical in the context of Title IX protections.
What Does This Mean for California Schools?
If California fails to comply with the proposed Resolution Agreement, it could face significant consequences, including referral to the U.S. Department of Justice for enforcement actions.
The state’s schools will need to adhere to Title IX regulations, ensuring that girls and women have equal opportunities in sports without facing unfair competition or the violation of their rights to compete in safe, female-designated spaces.
