WASHINGTON – The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has launched investigations into three Michigan school districts – Detroit Public Schools Community District, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and the Lansing School District – to determine whether they have included content related to sexual orientation and gender ideology (SOGI) in classes for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The investigations, announced Wednesday, February 18, 2026, will also examine whether parents were properly notified of their right to opt their children out of such instruction, and whether access to single-sex spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms is limited based on biological sex.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated the department is “fiercely committed to ending the growing trend of local school authorities embedding sexuality and gender ideology in every aspect of public education.” The investigations come amid a national debate over parental rights and the curriculum taught in public schools, particularly concerning discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation. The department is examining whether the districts are adhering to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor (606 U.S. 522, 2025), which affirmed parental rights regarding the upbringing of their children.
Scope of the Investigations
The Justice Department’s inquiry will focus on whether SOGI-related content is present in the curriculum of the three Michigan school districts. If such content is found, the investigations will assess whether the districts provided parents with adequate notice and the opportunity to excuse their children from participating. This aspect of the investigation centers on the assertion of parental rights to direct the religious upbringing of their children, as outlined in Supreme Court precedent. The department will also evaluate policies regarding access to single-sex intimate spaces, ensuring they are based on biological sex, as mandated by Title IX.
According to a press release from the Justice Department, the Michigan school districts are recipients of taxpayer funding. The investigations will determine if these districts are in compliance with federal regulations. The Civil Rights Division emphasized that it has not yet reached any conclusions regarding the subject matter of the investigations.
Concerns Over Parental Rights and Title IX
The investigations reflect a broader national conversation about the role of schools in addressing issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Advocates for parental rights argue that schools should not introduce these topics without explicit parental consent, while proponents of inclusive education contend that such discussions are essential for creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. The Justice Department’s actions align with a growing movement to strengthen parental involvement in education and to enforce existing laws regarding sex-based discrimination.
The Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor, decided in 2025, is central to the Justice Department’s argument. The court’s ruling affirmed the rights of parents to direct the religious upbringing of their children, a principle the department argues extends to shielding them from ideological instruction that conflicts with family beliefs. The application of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities, is also a key component of the investigations, particularly concerning access to single-sex spaces.
The investigations are not limited to curriculum content. They also encompass the practical implications of SOGI-related policies, such as access to bathrooms and locker rooms. This aspect of the inquiry has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that restricting access based on biological sex is discriminatory and harmful to transgender and non-binary students.
What’s Next
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will continue to gather information from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and the Lansing School District. The timeline for the completion of the investigations remains unclear. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for school districts across the country, potentially shaping the way they address issues of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. The department has stated it will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigations, which could include requiring changes to district policies or pursuing legal action.
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