Two California school districts have received letters from the Department of Education amid allegations of protecting sexual predators and allowing them to continue teaching. The letters, sent to the Tulare City Unified School District and Wilsona School District, are part of a national crackdown on schools that have been accused of sweeping sexual abuse allegations under the rug.
The letters remind the school districts that federal law requires them to investigate allegations of sexual abuse and prevent teachers accused of misconduct from quietly moving to another school. This practice, known as "passing the trash," is a longstanding concern for education officials and advocates for student safety.
The Department of Education plans to launch a new initiative, which includes 20 civil rights investigations into school districts that have failed to address sexual misconduct by school employees. California is believed to be one of the biggest offenders, with at least three school districts at risk of losing $50 million in federal funding.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is already under scrutiny for reassigning teachers to different schools under an agreement with the teachers' union. This agreement guaranteed that teachers accused of certain serious misconduct would be reassigned, rather than immediately terminated or removed from student-facing positions, while investigations are pending.
Investigations are also targeting school districts in other states, including Georgia and Michigan, as well as districts across 12 other states. The Department of Education is urging schools to take their responsibility to protect students seriously and to follow the law in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Education Secretary stated, "Our schools must protect America's children. Parents should never have to wonder whether their kids' school employs and protects sexual predators." The Secretary emphasized that schools that receive federal funding have a duty to protect students, report sexual misconduct honestly, and follow the law.
