DoJ reviews four California districts over gender policies

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a federal compliance review into four California public school districts over their policies regarding instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and parental notification. The review, announced on June 8, targets the San Francisco Unified School District and three districts in Monterey County: Graves Elementary School District, Santa Rita Union School District, and Soledad Unified School District.

Federal investigators will examine whether the districts are properly informing parents of their right to opt their children out of such instruction, as required under California law. The review spans all grades from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. A key point of scrutiny is a reported policy within the San Francisco Unified School District instructing teachers that parental permission or notification is not required to teach or discuss topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Justice Department will also assess district policies governing access to single-sex intimate spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms, as well as participation on girls' sports teams, based on a student's gender identity....