Federal Investigations Target School Districts Over Abuse Failures

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating multiple school districts for failing to properly respond to reports of sexual abuse by staff. The Office for Civil Rights announced this week it is focusing on the New York City Department of Education, Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado, and districts in California, Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, and Virginia.

The investigations examine whether districts followed their duties under Title IX when handling reports of sexual harassment and assault involving teachers, coaches, and other staff. The New York City Department of Education is under a directed investigation examining an alleged pattern of failing to protect students. These reviews do not mean the allegations are proven; they will determine if district responses met federal civil rights requirements.

Defining 'passing the trash'

The federal action targets the practice known as 'passing the trash.' This describes how teachers and staff credibly accused of sexually abusing students are allowed to quietly resign or transfer to another school system. Inadequate sharing of allegations enables the accused to find new work, potentially continuing the abuse.

Evidence from New York reporting

Federal officials cited an investigation revealing nearly 2,000 abuse complaints under New York’s Child Victims Act linked to schools. That investigation delved into allegations spanning nearly 70 years. More than 18% of all New York state cases under the act attest that a child was abused by an adult with school access.

The Office for Civil Rights’ statement said: "According to reporting, nearly two thousand complaints filed under the state’s Child Victims Act accuse a school, educator, or staff member of sexual abuse." The reporting uncovered cases where school leaders allegedly turned a blind eye to previous abuse. It found instances of accused abusers evading accountability for decades and alleged serial abusers moving from school to school. The number covers claims involving both public and private schools throughout New York state.

Specific district findings

In New York City, the department cited instances where the district allegedly let educators named in complaints remain employed even after a settlement. The city had paid out over $160 million to settle more than 150 Child Victims Act cases as of October 2024. A district spokeswoman said New York City takes allegations seriously and is reviewing the complaint.

Jefferson County Public Schools, Colorado's second-largest district, has faced public pressure over staff misconduct. The department cited recent arrests involving staff accused of sexually assaulting students on school property. Several former employees have been convicted, including a social worker, an after-school program employee, and a high school security guard. A former senior district official was also found to have purchased child pornography, though an investigation found no evidence of inappropriate direct contact with juveniles. The district is already involved in a separate federal dispute over policies supporting transgender students.

Broader context of federal action

The investigations follow a Trump administration initiative launched in July to crack down on sexual predators in schools. That initiative cited instances where schools failed to investigate credible reports or allowed accused perpetrators to transfer. It came after the administration had gutted the Office for Civil Rights and dismissed 90% of the complaints it received, according to a government report. Simultaneously, the department has prioritized investigations into antisemitism, reverse discrimination, and policies protecting LGBTQ students. In late September, the administration officially threw out a Biden-era Title IX rule that extended protections to LGBTQ students.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said, "Parents and families should be able to send their kids to school without fear that they will be targeted by school staff." The Office for Civil Rights will review how districts handled reports and whether their actions met federal requirements.