On March 11, 2025, the Trump administration announced the immediate termination of 1,300 Department of Education (DOE) employees, halving the entire department. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), responsible for investigating discrimination complaints in educational institutions, was especially affected with regional offices in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston either closed or significantly downsized.
As part of Trump’s promise to massively cut federal spending, dismantling the DOE has become a part of that promise, which was issued in an executive order on March 20. Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed these layoffs as an effort to enhance efficiency and emphasized the commitment to essential services:
“Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them—we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs. We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition.”
Concerns for Title IX
Education professionals, policymakers, and advocacy groups argue that the federal cuts could impair the ability to enforce civil rights protections, including Title IX. Schools may feel less compelled to adhere to current regulations, leaving students vulnerable to discrimination and harassment. Title IX administrators should consider some of the following possibilities:
Weakening of Title IX Enforcement
Although closing the DOE would not eliminate Title IX as a law, enforcing it could become inconsistent and problematic. Currently, students and educators can file complaints with the OCR, which then investigates allegations of Title IX violations. A dismantled DOE could eliminate this centralized complaint process, forcing individuals to seek solutions through state governments, private lawsuits, or local education agencies, many of which lack the resources or political will to prioritize Title IX enforcement. Since coming into office, the Trump officials at OCR have undertaken “directed” investigations, in which OCR has selected entities to investigate without receiving a complaint for a community member.
State-by-State Disparities in Gender Protections
If Title IX enforcement is left to individual states, significant disparities in student protections could become apparent. Some states may choose to uphold rigorous Title IX policies, while others may reduce protections, particularly for LGBTQIA+ students and survivors of sexual assault. This scattered approach could create unequal access to safe and equitable educational environments and disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
Increased Burdens on Survivors of Sexual Assault
The DOE’s OCR played a crucial role in holding schools accountable for their handling of sexual violence cases. If the department is eliminated, survivors of campus sexual assault may have no choice but to pursue justice through private lawsuits, a process that is often costly, time-consuming, and emotionally exhausting. Many survivors rely on Title IX’s administrative protections because they provide an alternative to the criminal justice system.
Threats to Women’s Athletics
Title IX has promised female athletes access to equal opportunities in funding, facilities, and scholarships. If the DOE no longer oversees Title IX compliance, schools may face less pressure to maintain gender equity in sports programs. Less pressure to comply could result in schools cutting women’s teams, offering fewer athletic scholarships, or disproportionately allocating resources to men’s programs.
Implications for Title IX Professionals
Eliminating the DOE ultimately depends on Congressional approval, which many experts say is unlikely. However, a highly understaffed department, if it continues to exist, will likely still create obstacles for schools and Title IX professionals. Title IX Teams’ best plan of action is to stay informed and plan for rapid evolution, some that will develop through legal proceedings. 2020 Title IX Regulations are still considered law, and any changes to them will take several years as proven by past administrations.
How We Can Help
As Title IX professionals stay informed of all Title IX updates and prepare for their impact, Title IX Consult can help keep your schools compliant. For general up-to-date Title IX information and how it affects you and your institution, join us for Title IX Thursdays on the first Thursday of every month. For more information about our Title IX consulting services, including advising, hearing adjudication, and investigation, contact us at [email protected].