WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education last week announced a wide-ranging slate of actions — from a record $153 million investment in civics education to federal enforcement against school districts and states accused of violating student privacy and Title IX.
The developments underscore the Trump Administration’s push to reorient federal education policy around parental authority, civic literacy, and biological definitions of sex in school athletics.
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said the historic civics funding reflects a renewed national focus on “restoring civics education and advancing a shared understanding of America’s founding principles.” The new grants will fund American History and Civics Seminars hosted by universities and nonprofit organizations ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
“These grants reflect the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to educate and inspire youth toward informed and patriotic citizenship,” Kent said.
The $153 million in awards will support expert-led seminars, creation of civics toolkits, classroom resources, and events promoting civil discourse and constitutional literacy.
In a separate action, the Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office opened an enforcement case against Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia following allegations that a Centreville High School social worker arranged abortion services for students without parental consent. The Department cited possible violations of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which guarantees parents notice and the right to opt out of non-emergency invasive procedures.
“It shocks the conscience to learn that school personnel in Fairfax have allegedly exploited their positions of trust to push abortion services on students without parental knowledge or consent,” said Acting General Counsel Candice Jackson. She said the Department would “take swift and decisive action to restore parental authority.”
Fairfax County Public Schools has until October 17 to provide documentation and records of its parental notification policies, related staff training, and any federal funds used in connection with the alleged incidents.
Meanwhile, a joint investigation by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services found the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League in violation of Title IX for allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ sports.
Federal officials cited multiple instances of male students competing on female teams, including a high-profile case involving a Champlin Park High School softball player who led his team to a state championship.
“Once an education program or entity takes federal funds, Title IX compliance becomes mandatory,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “The federal government will hold Minnesota accountable until it recognizes that fact.”
The agencies have given Minnesota 10 days to comply with a proposed resolution or face enforcement actions that could include loss of federal funding. The resolution would require Minnesota to restore athletic records to affected female athletes, rescind transgender participation policies, and redefine “male” and “female” based on biological sex.
Rounding out the week, Education Secretary Linda McMahon appointed Tennessee state legislator Mark White as chair of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the Nation’s Report Card.
McMahon also appointed early literacy expert Kymyona Burk and Virginia elementary principal Michael Sidebotham to four-year terms on the board, while reappointing testing expert Scott Marion.
“The 2024 NAEP results confirmed a devastating trend — American students are falling behind at alarming rates,” McMahon said. “These appointees bring the experience and data-driven focus needed to help reverse that decline.”
Taken together, the Department’s actions reflect an assertive new phase in federal education policy — one that couples patriotic civics with stricter parental rights enforcement and traditional interpretations of Title IX.
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