Trump Administration Rescinds Title IX Settlements Protecting Transgender Students

On April 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced it is rescinding portions of resolution agreements with six schools that were established under previous administrations. These agreements previously required educational institutions to protect students based on gender identity—a move the current administration characterizes as an illegal expansion of Title IX.

Ending “Illegal” Resolution Agreements

The Department of Education has taken decisive action to free school districts from what it describes as “burdensome enforcement” of Title IX. According to an official announcement, previous administrations distorted the law to enforce protections for gender identity rather than biological sex. These “ideologically-driven” interpretations led to resolution agreements that punished schools for actions such as asking students about their preferred gender or the “improper use of preferred pronouns.”

By rescinding these portions of the agreements, the U.S. Department of Education maintains that school districts are no longer in violation of the law for upholding standards based on biological sex.

New Enforcement Priorities

The shift in policy isn’t just about removing ancient rules. it’s about establishing new priorities for federal investigations. Kimberly Richey, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, stated that the administration is ending the pursuit of a “radical transgender agenda.”

Under the current directive, the OCR is shifting its investigative focus. Rather than launching probes into “misgendering,” the administration is now investigating:

• Allegations of girls and women being injured by men on sports teams.
• Reports of women feeling violated by men in intimate spaces.

Return to the 2020 Title IX Rule

This latest move is part of a broader effort to revert federal education policy to the standards set during President Trump’s first term. In January 2025, an executive order was signed declaring that there are two sexes—male and female—and directing the Education Department to enforce Title IX accordingly.

This reversion followed a federal court decision that vacated the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rule, labeling it “arbitrary and capricious” and beyond the Department’s legal scope. As reported by Inside Higher Ed, the Department of Education officially began enforcing the 2020 regulations in early 2025. This directive requires that any open Title IX investigations initiated under the 2024 rule be immediately reoriented to comply with the 2020 requirements.

FAQ: Understanding the Title IX Shift

What is a resolution agreement?

Resolution agreements are tools used by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to require schools to take specific actions to resolve instances of noncompliance with federal civil rights law.

Why were the 2024 rules overturned?

A federal court found the Biden administration’s 2024 rule to be illegal since it expanded the scope of Title IX to include “gender identity” rather than biological sex.

How does this affect schools currently?

Schools are no longer required to adhere to resolution agreements that mandate the use of preferred pronouns or protect gender identity under Title IX. They must now operate under the 2020 Title IX regulations.

Looking Ahead

The rescission of these settlements marks a significant pivot in how the federal government interacts with local school districts regarding transgender rights. By reinstating the 2020 rule and narrowing the definition of “sex,” the Trump administration is signaling a long-term commitment to a biological definition of gender in educational settings, likely leading to further changes in how sports and private facilities are managed across the country.