Federal investigation tests Oregon’s trans-inclusive school policies

In 2025, federal officials opened an investigation into Oregon school districts’ policies allowing transgender students to participate in school sports consistent with their gender identity. No final findings or major funding cuts have been announced as of this publish date. In the meantime, Oregon continues to operate under state law, which technically keeps the investigation active and the state's approach to gender inclusion in education under scrutiny.

What we're watching: new developments, the expansion of federal enforcement actions beyond athletics, and how districts and courts respond.

Why it matters

Oregon’s education protections for transgender students have not changed—but how they are enforced may. Federal investigations can create uncertainty for school districts, even when state guidance is clear. For students and families, this can mean inconsistent participation rules, delayed decisions, or schools quietly narrowing inclusion to avoid conflict. The case illustrates how national policy shifts can weaken protections on the ground without any change in state law.

Background

Oregon has long allowed students to participate in school activities, including athletics, consistent with their gender identity. This approach is supported by state civil rights law and reinforced through Oregon Department of Education guidance that frames gender identity discrimination as a civil rights issue.

In 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) opened an investigation into whether these policies comply with federal Title IX requirements, focusing on athletic participation. The DOE also asserted that female athletes in Oregon high schools lost medals and competitive opportunities to biological males, and suffered emotional distress; allegations outlined in a complaint filed by AFPI, the America First Policy Institute. The DOE has also launched Title IX investigations in California, Virginia, Minnesota, and Maine.