Feds reviewing gender education in San Francisco schools

June 9, 2026 - 11:40

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Department of Justice has announced it is conducting a compliance review of gender-related education policies in four California public school districts, including the San Francisco Unified School District. The review will also cover Santa Rita Union School District and two other districts whose names have not yet been publicly released.

The investigation focuses on whether the districts are following federal laws regarding parental rights and student privacy, particularly in relation to policies that allow students to use names and pronouns not matching their birth certificates without notifying parents. Officials from the Justice Department stated that the review aims to ensure schools are not violating Title IX regulations or other federal statutes.

San Francisco Unified has been a leader in adopting progressive gender policies, including guidelines that permit students to change their gender markers in school records and use facilities matching their gender identity. Critics argue these policies sideline parental authority, while supporters say they protect transgender and nonbinary students from discrimination.

The compliance review could lead to changes in how the districts implement these policies, or potentially result in the loss of federal funding if violations are found. District representatives have said they will cooperate fully with the review, emphasizing their commitment to both student safety and legal compliance. The Justice Department has not set a timeline for completing the review.